US Urges Azerbaijan to Finalize Peace with Armenia by Year-End
President Joe Biden has reached out to Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, urging the conclusion of a peace agreement with Armenia by the end of 2024. This announcement was made on the official website of the Azerbaijani president, following the delivery of Biden’s letter by Michael Carpenter, Senior Director for Europe at the National Security Council.
In the letter, Biden commended the progress made by Azerbaijan and Armenia in normalizing their relations. He emphasized, “The United States stands ready to support a durable and dignified peace between Azerbaijan and Armenia that would finally put to rest centuries of conflict.”
Biden pointed out that such a peace agreement would not only reinforce Azerbaijan’s sovereignty and territorial integrity but also open up new avenues for regional trade, investment, and connectivity between Europe and Asia, as reported by Xinhua news agency.
“As the world’s attention turns to Baku for COP29, you have a unique opportunity to demonstrate your commitment to peace in front of a global audience,” he added.
The tensions between Armenia and Azerbaijan date back to 1988, primarily centered around the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region. Peace talks have been ongoing since a cease-fire was established in 1994, although sporadic clashes have occurred over the years. A major conflict erupted in September 2020, leading to a new cease-fire brokered by Russia in November 2020. The most recent escalation occurred on September 19, 2023, followed by another Russian-mediated cease-fire the next day.
