The US Department of State has welcomed the direct contacts between Azerbaijan and Nagorno-Karabakh.

"We welcomed the engagement between the Azerbaijani government and representatives of the population of Nagorno-Karabakh," a State Department spokesperson told Turan news agency.

"We hope that all parties can continue to build on and maintain productive communications channels," the spokesperson added. "Ensuring the rights and security of the Nagorno-Karabakh population is critical to achieving a lasting peace in the South Caucasus."