Michael Carpenter, the US ambassador to the OSCE, thanked the presidency for convening a special session of the Permanent Council on Artsakh on the initiative of Armenia yesterday and welcomed the initiative.
“The United States is deeply concerned about the rapidly deteriorating humanitarian situation in Nagorno-Karabakh. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken spoke with Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan on September 9 and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev on September 10 to express the concern of the United States and emphasize the need for dialogue, compromises, and the importance of building trust between the parties. The Secretary of State promised the continuous support of the USA to the peace process.
We note that humanitarian supplies are located near both the Lachin and Aghdam routes and reiterate our call for the immediate and simultaneous opening of both corridors to allow the necessary humanitarian supplies to the men, women, and children of Nagorno-Karabakh, as well as to restore gas and electricity flows. We also call on leaders to refrain from acting that raises tensions or detracts from this goal. The use of force to resolve disputes is unacceptable. I repeat the use of force to resolve conflicts is intolerable,” we learn about this in the message of the US Embassy in the OSCE.
According to Carpenter, the Lachine Corridor should be open to commercial, humanitarian, and private traffic, according to the International Criminal Court’s February 22 ruling. He emphasized the severity and urgency of the situation the residents of Nagorno Karabakh faced.
“We once again call on Azerbaijan to take all measures to ensure the unhindered movement of people, vehicles, and cargo in both directions through the Lachin Corridor. We have conveyed this message publicly and privately to all levels of the government of Azerbaijan on many occasions. We urge the residents of Nagorno-Karabakh to accept the supplies. Food, medicine, baby food, and energy must be available.
I am deeply concerned that the humanitarian situation inside Nagorno-Karabakh will continue to deteriorate if the parties do not take immediate steps to find a solution.
In light of the recent escalation of tensions in the South Caucasus, the United States will continue to strongly support efforts by Armenia and Azerbaijan to resolve existing issues through direct dialogue to achieve a dignified and lasting peace. Sustainable peace negotiations should be based on discussion on the ground, mutual respect for each other’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, regulation of relations, and protection of the rights and security of ethnic Armenians living in Nagorno-Karabakh. This is the only way to solve this conflict. The United States calls for restraint from any actions that could undermine trust, jeopardize dialogue, or further delay the opening of the corridor.
We encourage direct negotiations at all levels, including between officials in Baku and representatives of the people of Nagorno-Karabakh. We reiterate that any peace agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan must protect the rights and security of the people of Nagorno Karabakh.
The United States continues to be willing to engage with all partners in bilateral and multilateral formats to help Armenia and Azerbaijan reach a peaceful settlement,” stated Michael Carpenter, the US ambassador to the OSCE.
