Editor's note: Words by U.S. Secretary of State and Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov were added
Azerbaijan, Baku, July 4 /Trend, V.Zhavoronkova/
The United States is committed to a peaceful solution to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict on the basis of territorial integrity, non-use of force, the right to self-determination and on the basis of the Helsinki principles," U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said to a press conference in Baku on July 4 as a result of her visit to Azerbaijan.
"The U.S. can not resolve the conflict, but can help bring the parties closer so that they can reach an agreement," Clinton said, adding that the United States can be a partner in the negotiations between the two countries.
"President Obama reaffirmed this commitment at a summit in Toronto, and I mentioned this in our discussions with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev. We are ready to help Azerbaijan and Armenia achieve a lasting peaceful solution to the conflict," said Clinton.
"Recent steps towards peace are usually the most difficult, but we believe that peace is possible and necessary. The peace is necessary to build a prosperous safe future for both sides. All the peoples of the region and Azerbaijan have the right to live in security," said the Secretary of State .
Secretary of State's visit to Baku began on July 4.
One of the important issues that Secretary of State Hillary Clinton discussed in Azerbaijan is the issue of Nagorno-Karabakh conflict settlement, Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov said to a joint press conference.
"The United States, as co-chair of OSCE Minsk Group, is committed to peace in the region and tries to find solution to the conflict as soon as possible," Mammadyarov said.
The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988 when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. Armenian armed forces have occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan since 1992, including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and 7 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 the peace negotiations.
Armenia has not yet implemented the U.N. Security Council's four resolutions on the liberation of the Nagorno-Karabakh region and the occupied territories.
In addition, the minister said, discussions were conducted on other issues such as energy security, regional relationships and the development of the entire South Caucasus.
Interesting and friendly discussions were conducted during Clinton's visit to Baku, said Mammadyarov.
During her visit, U.S. Secretary of State met with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov, co-chairs of OSCE Minsk Group and representatives of the Azerbaijani youth.
The United States' Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, who is on an official visit to Azerbaijan, on July 4 visited the Alley of Martyrs to commemorate Azerbaijani heroes who gave their lives for the country's independence and territorial integrity. She laid a wreath at the Eternal Flame monument.
Today, Clinton will leave for Yerevan, and July 5 will arrive in Tbilisi.
