AZERBAIJAN: U.S. Deputy Secretary of State James Steinberg visits Baku to discuss progress in peace process with Armenia

Record ID: 217965

  • Title: AZERBAIJAN: U.S. Deputy Secretary of State James Steinberg visits Baku to discuss progress in peace process with Armenia
  • Date: 1st March 2011
  • Summary: BAKU, AZERBAIJAN (FEBRUARY 24, 2011) (ORIGINALLY 4:3) (REUTERS) VARIOUS BAKU AIRPORT US DEPUTY SECRETARY OF STATE JAMES B. STEINBERG APPROACHING MEDIA CAMERAMAN (SOUNDBITE) (English) US DEPUTY SECRETARY OF STATE JAMES B. STEINBERG SAYING: "We are very hopeful to see some signs of progress, we believe that it's in interest of both Armenia and Azerbaijan to move forward
  • Embargoed: 16th March 2011 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Azerbaijan, Azerbaijan
  • Country: Azerbaijan
  • Topics: International Relations
  • Reuters ID: LVA44TFFIYGPQW6E23M6O4ZY4TQ5
  • Story Text: US Deputy Secretary of State James B. Steinberg visited Azerbaijan's capital Baku on Thursday (February 24) to meet with Azeri president Geidar Aliyev as part of his trip to the Caucasus.
    The US is participating in the negotiations between Armenia and Azerbaijan to settle the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and Steinberg says he is hoping to see progress in the talks.
    "We are very hopeful to see some signs of progress, we believe that it's in interest of both Armenia and Azerbaijan to move forward based on the Helsinki principles. In my discussions in Armenia I stressed the importance for both sides of showing flexibility and understanding the benefits to both sides to moving forward based on these principles," Steinberg told journalists after his arrival to Baku.
    A tiny mountain region mainly populated by Christian Armenians, Nagorno-Karabakh seceded from Muslim Azerbaijan and proclaimed independence after an early 1990s war that killed some 30,000. Its independence is not recognized by any nation.
    Azerbaijan wants Nagorno-Karabakh back, if necessary by force. More than 15 years of mediation have failed to produce a final peace deal and the threat of war is never far away.
    Steinberg also stressed the importance of building a civil society in Azerbaijan in order to ensure stability in the country.
    "We think it's an important opportunity to strengthen the involvement of citizens here to continue efforts to build a tolerant society that gives an opportunity for the voices of all the citizens to participate," Steinberg told journalists.
    The US envoy left to Armenia on Friday (February 25), giving no comments on the results of his visit.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2011. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
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