WASHINGTON — U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken held a phone conversation with Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev, addressing the need for lasting peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan and discussing cooperation on climate initiatives.

According to Azeri-Press News Agency, Blinken reiterated the U.S. commitment to achieving peace in the region and acknowledged the progress made in border delimitation, particularly citing the August 30, 2024, signing of the Regulation regarding the joint activities of the Commissions on the delimitation of the state border. President Aliyev stated that peace already exists in the region and credited Azerbaijan’s efforts for the emerging new status quo based on justice and international law. He also underscored Azerbaijan’s role in initiating the peace treaty between the two nations and the importance of Armenia abandoning territorial claims. The conversation also covered Azerbaijan’s hosting of COP29, with Blinken emphasizing the collaboration between the COP teams of Azerbaijan and the U.S. Aliyev expressed optimism that a consensus would be reached, particularly on climate finance.