U.S. remains committed to working with Karabakh conflict sides - spokesperson
The U.S. remains firmly committed to working with the sides of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict as a co-chair of the Minsk Group, Spokesperson for the Department of State, Victoria Nuland said at a daily press briefing on Thursday.
"Let me simply say that the tragic loss of life in the war between Armenia and Azerbaijan reminds us that there cannot be a military solution to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict," Nuland said.
She stressed that only a lasting and peaceful settlement can bring about stability, prosperity, and reconciliation in the region.
The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988 when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. Armenian armed forces have occupied 20 per cent of Azerbaijan since 1992, including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven surrounding districts.
Azerbaijan and Armenia signed a ceasefire agreement in 1994.
The co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group - Russia, France and the U.S. - are currently holding peace negotiations.
Armenia has not yet implemented the U.N. Security Council's four resolutions on the liberation of Nagorno-Karabakh and the surrounding regions.