At the first meeting of the Peace Council, U.S. Vice President Vance expressed special gratitude to the leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan.

“What you have all accomplished is simply incredible. We thank all the leaders gathered here today, those who are contributing to the future, to peace. We are grateful to you for your partnership.

And in particular, I would like to thank the President of Azerbaijan and the Prime Minister of Armenia, whom I met last week, for making this possible and for showing what true leadership can achieve. When you lay down weapons, killings, and destruction and invest everything in your people and prosperity, it can yield good results. I thank both of you for what you have done. I believe you have demonstrated remarkable leadership,” Vance said.