The U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry met with Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov on the sidelines of the American Jewish Committee Global Forum.

“Azerbaijan has been an important partner in Afghanistan, in ISAF, and equally important with respect to the northern distribution route but also the southern gas line and other issues that are of great importance to us,” Kerry said.

As he further noted, Karabakh issue had been discussed during his meeting with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev. Kerry stressed the importance of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict settlement, noting that the conflict threatens the stability of the region.

“As co-chair of the Minsk Group, we have a serious interest – the United States – in helping Azerbaijan and Armenia to be able to find a path forward,” he said.