U.S. Believes Azerbaijan and Armenia Have Opportunity To Move Forward

Washington believes that Azerbaijan and Armenia have a real opportunity to move forward in seeking peace and normalizing their relations, a top U.S. official said on Wednesday, TURAN's Washington correspondent reports.

Speaking at a briefing organized by the State Department's Washington Foreign Press Center, Karen Donfried, assistant secretary of state, who oversees European and Eurasian affairs, said in response to TURAN's questions that the implications of Russia’s war against Ukraine "affect the entire region", including the South Caucasus.

"And I think there is real hope right now that there is opportunity for Azerbaijan and Armenia to move forward in normalizing that relationship, in seeking a peace settlement," she added.

Asked by TURAN about her recent meeting with Azerbaijani President's foreign policy advisor Hikmat Hajiyev, Donfried said recent developments between Armenia and Azerbaijan was one of the focus points of the conversation. "And I know he (Hajiyev) saw other key officials in the U.S. Government during that visit."

"We've seen both countries Azerbaijan and Armenia take important steps. That is something the United States very much encourages," she emphasized.

Donfried also spoke about 'the critical role' the European Union has been playing between Baku and Yerevan.

"So it’s a wonderful example where the EU, working together with Azerbaijan and Armenia, can be hopeful about advancing that peaceful process," she said.

When asked about top threats to the wider region, Donfried said that, among many issues, she and her team have been "very focused" on Russia’s unjustified and brital war against Ukraine – now in its 106th day – and about "all of the elements" of that strategy.

"It's interesting; a colleague of mine at the European Union said to several of us this was Europe's 9/11," she said, adding the conflict has led to “remarkable unity” both in terms of how can NATO strengthen its own defense, but also in terms of cooperation with the EU.

The U.S. and allies are making sure that they are imposing costs and consequences on Russia for its behavior, she added.

And then there’s the reinforcing NATO piece, as well as "working closely with others on our strategy" towards Ukraine.

If we want one example of a strategic miscalculation Putin made, the fact that Finland and Sweden are applying for NATO membership is "a striking one" she said.

For Donfried, it’s also important not to lose sight of the challenge that China is posing "in many places, but also in Europe." China’s Belt and Road Initiative made clear to many Europeans that China is also coming to Europe.

And in many cases, China was buying up critical infrastructure across Europe.

“You could also look at 5G infrastructure and making sure people understand the vulnerabilities if China were to control 5G networks across Europe."

According to the assistant secretary, China’s stance in supporting Russia in its brutal war against Ukraine "has given another element to concerns Europeans already had about human rights abuses, unfair trade, and other things with regard to China."

Speaking of Ukraine, Donfried also mentioned that the U.S. and allies were also very focused on ensuring that Ukrainian grain gets to the market blocked by Russian aggression.

"Food security is not a new issue," she reminded, explaining that the issue had been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, global climate change and now by the Russian war.

"It is Russian actions that are exacerbating the food security problem," she emphasized.

Alex Raufoglu

Washington D.C.