US state department spox: Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan have “no greater supporter” than US for sovereignty, independence

Vedant Patel, the deputy spokesperson of the United States department of state, on Wednesday said there was “no greater supporter” than the US for the sovereignty and independence of Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan.

In his remarks over the matter, Patel noted his government was “committed” to Armenia‑Azerbaijan peace negotiations, and encouraged both leaders to meet in a format most useful to them for talks. 

Our viewpoint is that direct dialogue is key to resolving these issues and reaching a lasting peace. There is no greater supporter than the U.S. for the sovereignty and independence of the three countries in the South Caucasus, and the restoration of Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia’s independence in 1991 when the Soviet Union was a seminal event that guaranteed each of these countries the right to pursue their own foreign policy interests and sovereignty”, Patel said. 

Azerbaijani president Ilham Aliyev on Monday said there was an “opportunity to hold consultations” between Azerbaijan, Armenia and Georgia, adding his government was “ready to start this format today” in case the Armenian counterparts expressed interest.

• Azerbaijani president highlights “opportunity” for consultations between Azerbaijan, Armenia, Georgia

In his remarks at a joint press conference with Georgian prime minister Irakli Garibashvili, hosted as part of his visit to Georgia, Aliyev said a “new situation” had been formed between his country and Armenia following the conflict over the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region, adding the resolution of the conflict required the signing of a “peace agreement”.