U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, speaking with Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan, expressed appreciation for the positive steps taken by Azerbaijan and Armenia to reach a lasting peace agreement, including recent direct talks between the foreign ministers and leaders of the two countries.

During the phone conversation, Blinken welcomed Azerbaijan's release of 17 POWs to Armenia on Oct. 4 and urged Aliyev to continue steps to support the peace process according to a timeline, the State Department reported.

Blinken reiterated U.S. support, including on clear border delineation, transportation links, search and identification of missing persons, return of detainees and other issues. He stressed the importance of discussing rights and guarantees for the people of Nagorno-Karabakh, and the need for both sides to uphold the ceasefire and focus on a negotiated agreement as the only way to a lasting peace.