U.S. State Department Responds to Blinken-Aliyev Phone Call

The U.S. State Department spokesperson's office has addressed the phone call between Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev that took place on September 1.

“Secretary Blinken expressed the United States' concerns regarding the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Nagorno-Karabakh during his phone call with President Aliyev. He reiterated our call for the reopening of the Lachin corridor for humanitarian, commercial, and passenger transport, while acknowledging the importance of additional routes from Azerbaijan.

The Secretary emphasized the need for dialogue and compromise, as well as the importance of building trust between the parties. He pledged continued U.S. support for the peace process,” the statement said.

Following the American side's announcement, Baku also decided to release a statement regarding the phone conversation between U.S. Secretary Antony Blinken and President Ilham Aliyev that took place on September 1.

According to the statement, Aliyev noted that “Armenia and the separatist regime created by Armenia in the Nagorno-Karabakh region are deliberately obstructing the opening of the Aghdam-Stepanakert road, creating artificial obstacles to the use of this road.” He stated that refusing to use this road is a political maneuver and a premeditated lie to claim that there is a humanitarian or food crisis in the area.

“After the opening of the Aghdam-Stepanakert road, the Lachin-Stepanakert road may be opened under the rules of customs and border control by Azerbaijan. President Ilham Aliyev emphasized that all manifestations of separatism are unacceptable for our state,” the statement reads.

Aliyev also complained about the humanitarian cargo sent by Armenia to Nagorno-Karabakh, stating that sending cargo through the Lachin corridor without Azerbaijan's consent is “interference in Azerbaijan's internal affairs and a disrespectful attitude towards territorial integrity and sovereignty.”

Aliyev pointed out that food supplies were delivered to Nagorno-Karabakh through Azerbaijan's Red Crescent Society, but the “illegal separatist regime refused to accept this cargo.”

In fact, Aliyev contradicted himself by stating this.