Azerbaijani leader, US Secretary of State discuss Armenia, Azerbaijan peace process

By Ruslan Rehimov

BAKU (AA) - Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken discussed Saturday issues related to the 29th UN Climate Change conference, planned for Azerbaijan, as well as the ongoing peace process between Armenia and Azerbaijan, according to a statement by the Azerbaijani Presidency.

Aliyev and Blinken met in Germany on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference -- an annual meeting that holds high-level debates on pressing security challenges around the world.

On the peace process between his country and Armenia, Aliyev said: "Azerbaijan is committed to the peace process, and signing the peace agreement as soon as possible is in line with our national interests."

Blinken said: "We want to do our best to achieve lasting and dignified peace between Azerbaijan and Armenia. The US has conducted and will continue to conduct beneficial work in this regard."

The two sides exchanged views on regional connections, transportation, the Middle Corridor and issues concerning both countries.

The Trans-Caspian East-West-Middle Corridor Initiative, also known as the Middle Corridor, which begins in Türkiye and passes through the Caucasus region via Georgia and Azerbaijan, crosses the Caspian Sea, traverses Central Asia and reaches China, is one of the most important components of efforts to revive the ancient Silk Road, according to Türkiye’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

*Writing by Zehra Nur Duz in Ankara.