US official emphasises Yerevan-Baku deal importance for EU integration of Georgia, Armenia

James O'Brien, the Assistant Secretary for the United States Department of State for  European and Eurasian Affairs, on Wednesday said Georgia and Armenia were interested in “getting closer” to the European Union and its single market but added the outcome would only be achievable through an agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan.

O’Brien highlighted the 2020 breakout of armed clashes between the latter states over the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region.

This document enables the establishment of a trade route that will pass through Kazakhstan to Turkey and then exit from the Mediterranean or the Black Sea. This route will complement the existing route that runs from Azerbaijan to Georgia, near the Black Sea. Together, these two routes will provide Central Asian countries with independent access to the global market from Russia and China. We fully support this opportunity”, he said.

In his interview with the Armenian office of the Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, O'Brien also noted the possibility of a peace agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan due to Russia’s “current challenges” - in reference to the ongoing war in Ukraine - and suggested there was a “window of opportunity” for progress in the wider region.

Russia wants to declare that if it wins in Ukraine, it will also return to the Caucasus. However, Russia is unable to win against Ukraine and return to the Caucasus, as it has been for a long time. Now is the time for the citizens of Armenia to declare that they have made up their minds and want to move forward, not backward. There is now an opportunity to move forward, because Russia is stuck in Ukraine”, the official said.

O'Brien expressed support for, and the US Government's intention to, elevate its relationship with Armenia to that of a strategic partner and focus on “strengthening democracy, security and economic diversification”.

He also pledged readiness of his Government to cooperate with both Armenia and Azerbaijan “for mutual benefit” in the event of a peace agreement.