Joint press point

President Sarkissian,
Welcome to NATO Headquarters.

NATO and Armenia have a long-standing partnership.

And I am grateful for the contributions that Armenia has made to NATO missions and operations over the last years.

During our meeting we discussed our mission in Afghanistan.  NATO remains committed to Afghanistan’s long-term security.

The talks in Doha offer the best chance for peace in a generation.

They must preserve the gains made over the last two decades.

And I appreciate Armenia’s consistent contribution to our Resolute Support Mission in Afghanistan.

We also addressed the crisis in and around Nagorno-Karabakh.

I reminded the President that NATO is not part of this conflict.

Both Armenia and Azerbaijan have been valued NATO partners for more than 25 years.

NATO is deeply concerned by ongoing violations of the ceasefire, which have caused tragic loss of life.

It is important for NATO and international security that hostilities end;
the suffering stops;
and a peaceful solution is found.
It is vital that all sides now show restraint, observe the ceasefire, and de-escalate.
Any targeting of civilians is unacceptable and must stop.

All must now work towards a sustainable political solution.

Armenia and Azerbaijan should resume negotiations to reach a peaceful settlement to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.
And the efforts of the co-Chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group continue to be essential.

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President, welcome to NATO Headquarters.

It is great to see you here and I appreciate the exchange we had today on important issues for Armenia and for NATO.