U.S. State Department on Pashinyan's Proposal to Deploy International Observers at Armenian-Azerbaijani Border

The United States, as a co-chairing country of the OSCE Minsk Group, is deeply committed to working with the parties towards a long-term political resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. We urge the parties to return to negotiations led by the Minsk Group co-chairs as soon as possible.

In response to Tert.am's inquiry regarding acting Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan's proposal to address the crisis following the presence of Azerbaijani armed forces in the Gegharkunik region, a U.S. State Department official stated: “The U.S. is concerned about the recent events along the interstate border between Armenia and Azerbaijan, including the detention of several Armenian servicemen by Azerbaijani forces. We call on both sides to resolve the incident urgently and peacefully. The United States is prepared to support these efforts.”

He also reminded of the statement issued by their organization on May 27. It is important to note that Azerbaijani troops have been present in Armenian territory for over half a month, having penetrated from several directions and advancing kilometers without leaving. Moreover, regular incidents occur, such as gunfire that has resulted in the death of an Armenian serviceman, and six Armenian servicemen have been surrounded in Gegharkunik and captured by Azerbaijani armed forces.

To resolve the crisis, Acting Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan proposed to the international community and the President of Azerbaijan to withdraw armed forces from the contact line between Sotk in Gegharkunik and the Khiznavar area in Syunik region. He suggested deploying observers from Russia or countries representing the OSCE Minsk Group in that area, after which work on border point adjustments would commence with the participation of those same observers.