Meeting between the Minister of Defense of Azerbaijan and the Acting US Under Secretary of Defense for Policy

On September 26, at the initiative of the American side, Colonel General Zakir Hasanov, Minister of Defense of the Republic of Azerbaijan, had a telephone conversation with Sasha Baker, Acting Under Secretary of Defense for Policy of the United States, the press office of the Ministry of Defense of Azerbaijan reported.

The sides had a detailed exchange of views on relations between the two countries, the situation in the region and security issues.
The prospects of development of bilateral military cooperation between the countries were also discussed during the telephone conversation.

Conversation between Antony Blinken and Ilham Aliyev

On the same day, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken telephoned President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, the press office of the Azerbaijani President reported.
During the conversation they discussed the latest developments in the Karabakh region of Azerbaijan, in particular, the “anti-terrorist measures” taken against the Armenian armed forces.
"The head of state clarified that the anti-terrorist operations were aimed exclusively at military facilities, lasted less than 24 hours and did not cause any harm to civilians. He also briefed the American side on the ongoing process of disarming illegal Armenian forces and their withdrawal from Azerbaijani territory. Over the past five days, hundreds of pieces of military equipment, weapons, supplies and ammunition have been confiscated," the report said.
He emphasized that Azerbaijan is committed to upholding the rights of the Armenian residents of the Karabakh region and other ethnic minorities in accordance with national legislation and international obligations. Dialogue on reintegration is ongoing, humanitarian aid is being sent to the Armenian residents, and the restoration of infrastructure is underway. President Aliyev also highlighted the ongoing cooperation with the International Committee of the Red Cross to provide assistance to the Armenian population and expressed his readiness to facilitate a visit to the Karabakh region by the Office of the UN Resident Coordinator in the near future.
According to the US Department of State, Antony Blinken spoke with Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev “to emphasize the need for Azerbaijan to refrain from further hostilities in Nagorno-Karabakh and provide unhindered humanitarian access.” He called on President Aliyev to provide assurances to the residents of Nagorno-Karabakh that they can live secure in their homes and that their rights will be protected. The Secretary urged President Aliyev to commit to broad amnesty and allow an international observer mission into Nagorno-Karabakh, and noted the President’s public commitments to help build a future for all those in Nagorno-Karabakh based on peace, mutual understanding, and mutual respect.