U.S. First Deputy Secretary of State: U.S. interested in rapid settlement of Nagorno-Karabakh conflict

The U.S. is interested in rapid settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict on the basis of the international law and the Helsinki principles, U.S. First Deputy Secretary of State James B. Steinberg said upon his arrival in Baku.

"We hope for certain progress in resolving the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. We think that both countries are interested in promoting this issue," Steinberg said.

"I plan to learn the opinion of Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev how we can move this process forward by common efforts," he said.

He said that it is very important to maintain a diplomatic solution to the conflict, as it is in the interests of all countries in the region.

"We want to make a contribution to advancing this process forward," he said.

"We are puzzled by the difficulties we have recently faced, given the potential benefit of both sides of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict in case of a peaceful settlement and risks of the conflict escalation," he said.

"It is in our interests to do everything we can. It was highlighted at a meeting with Armenian president Serzh Sargsyan. The parties must meet in a positive atmosphere to find common ground. It is in the interests of all parties of the conflict," he said.

There must be no doubts that the parties will continue making efforts in this direction, he said.

Steinberg left Tbilisi and arrived in Baku. Earlier, he was in Yerevan. Steinberg is accompanied by Assistant Secretary of State Philip Gordon during his regional tour.

Steinberg left Tbilisi and arrived in Baku. Earlier, he was in Yerevan. Steinberg is accompanied by Assistant Secretary of State Philip Gordon during his regional tour.