The United Kingdom (UK) will do whatever it can to support bilateral exchanges and steps towards peace between Azerbaijan and Armenia. Leo Docherty, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Europe at the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, stated this in an interview with APA news agency in Azerbaijan.

"Well, of course, we are deeply interested in peace in the South Caucasus. This week I have been to Yerevan and Tbilisi, in Georgia and now I am here, so we are very actively engaged. We believe there is a clear opportunity for peace to be cemented and we support any mechanism that can bring that about. Clearly, European countries have a role, America probably has a role, and the most important note, that the two most important countries are of course, Azerbaijan and Armenia. So, from the British side, we will do whatever we can to support that bilateral exchange of views and steps towards peace. For us, it is clear that an open, unique opportunity does exist now and we sincerely hope that both sides will take it," said Docherty.

And answering the question about the statements of other countries, Germany and France, regarding the mediator's role, Docherty said: "Well, I think we, of course, as a strong ally of Azerbaijan and also with a very strong relationship with Armenia, we have a role like many other countries, but I don't think it is useful for individual countries to just speculate on their own role. What is useful is for us to reassure both countries that we will be there to support them, and the process should be guided by the preferences of Azerbaijan and Armenia. That is the best way forward."