US looking forward to hosting Armenian and Azerbaijan FMs, Klaar returns to the region

The Principal Deputy Spokesperson of the US Department of State, Vedant Patel, stated in a press briefing on Monday (5 June) that the United States is "looking forward" to hosting the Armenian and Azerbaijani foreign ministers in Washington D.C.

"As you’ve heard me say before, direct dialogue is key to resolving issues and reaching a durable and dignified peace. The US is pleased that talks between Armenia and Azerbaijan are proceeding in different venues, including the recent meeting of leaders as well," Patel added.

Armenian and Azerbaijani FMs Ararat Mirzoyan and Jeyhun Bayramov are expected to meet soon in Washington DC in the framework of the ongoing peace talks, with the next round expected to start on 12 June.

The Armenian and Azerbaijani leaders, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and President Ilham Aliyev, are scheduled to next meet in Brussels on 21 July.

Klaar returns to South Caucasus

Meanwhile, the EU's Special Representative for the South Caucasus and the Crisis in Georgia Toivo Klaar is returning to the region to "follow up on high-level EU engagements".

Announcing his visit on Twitter, Klaar said he will first visit Yerevan. His office has subsequently announced that he will also the Azerbaijani capital, Baku.

Azerbaijani news outlet AzerNews reported that Klaar will arrive in Baku on Tuesday (6 June) after having visited Yerevan. 

source: commonspace.eu with agencies
photo: 1Lurer