The US is committed to Armenian-Azerbaijan peace and negotiations between the two countries, said the US State Department spokesperson Ned Price during the press conference.

The reporter noted that on “Azerbaijan-Armenia there was no tangible progress yesterday in Sochi other than this glorified statement by presidents.”

“Is it your impression, that both side are still interested in signing a peace contract by the end of the year? Is there any room for the United States to weigh in and to keep – help them keep this candle lighting, if may?” the reporter asked.

Mr Price, in turn, noted “we, of course, were not a participant in this meeting. It is not for us to speak to. But to the latter part of your question, Secretary Blinken has emphasized this repeatedly, including when he brought the two foreign ministers together in New York.”

“We are committed to Armenian-Azerbaijan peace and negotiations between the two countries.

“We believe direct dialogue is key to resolving issues and to reaching that lasting peace, and that lasting peace, by the way, that both countries have stated that they seek.

“So, we’ll continue to engage over the next months to facilitate discussions between Armenia and Azerbaijan, bilaterally, with partners, and through multilateral organizations as well.

Asked whether we should expect phone calls or meetings between the Secretary and the ministers, Price said that “all of that is on the table.”

“We will do what it is we deem most useful to bring about the cause of lasting peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan,” he said.