Blinken, Le Drian discuss Karabakh over the phone

PanARMENIAN.Net - U.S. Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken discussed the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict with French Minister of Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Yves Le Drian on Sunday, May 16, according to a tweet posted by the former.

"[Jean-Yves Le Drian] and I discussed our concern over the violence between Israelis and Palestinians. We also discussed the need for a long-term political settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict," Blinken wrote.

Le Drian earlier weighed in on Azerbaijan's encroachment on Armenian soil in telephone conversations with his Armenian and Azeri counterparts.

On the morning of May 12, the armed forces of Azerbaijan violated the border of Armenia in the southern province of Syunik, advancing 3.5 kilometers and surrounding Sev Lake, which is situated on the border between the two countries but is predominantly a part of Armenia. On May 13, the Azerbaijani military committed more border violations against Armenia, advancing near Vardenis (Gegharkunik province) and Sisian (Syunik province). No official information has been published in the past two days. Some opposition politicians say the Azerbaijanis have agreed to withdraw from Armenia's territories with preconditions, failing to name them.