Friday, May 5 2023 12:04

ArmInfo. Below are U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken's remarks at the Bilateral Peace Negotiation  Closing Session with Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan and Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov:

"Good afternoon, everyone. I want to start by thanking our  colleagues, both foreign ministers, their delegations for traveling  here and for spending the time here in - at the Foreign Service  Institute, and especially for their commitment to dialogue, and I  think a recognition on the part of both Armenia and Azerbaijan that  the only path to a lasting, durable peace is through dialogue.  The  United States is very happy to continue to offer its support, its  engagement, its good offices to host this discussion and any future  ones toward an enduring peace.  That is the objective.

"The two sides have discussed some very tough issues over the last  few days and they've made tangible progress on a durable peace  agreement.  I hope that they see - and I believe that they do, as I  do - that there is an agreement within sight, within reach.  And  achieving that agreement would be, I think, not only historic, but  would be profoundly in the interests of the people of Azerbaijan and  Armenia, and would have very positive effects even beyond their two  countries.

"I think the pace of the negotiations and the foundation that our  colleagues have built shows that we really are within reach of an  agreement.  The last mile of any marathon is always the hardest; we  know that.  But the United States is here to continue to help both of  our friends cross the finish line.  And as I say, I think we're very  much within reach of that.

"I have to say, finally, that the leadership that we're seeing from  both Armenia and Azerbaijan, and from my friends the foreign  ministers, is inspiring.  None of this is easy, but the commitment,  the determination to move forward, to deal with the remaining  challenging issues is real.  And we feel, coming out of these few  days, that, as I said, we've made very tangible progress.  A final  agreement is within reach, and we're determined to continue to help  our friends achieve it.

"So with thanks to both of you, to both of your delegations, as well  as to Prime Minister Pashinyan and President Aliyev for sending you  here.  I thank everyone, and we look forward to continuing."