December 16, 2022

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MR PATEL:... Go ahead, Alex.

QUESTION: Thanks so much. Shifting to South Caucasus, a couple of questions. On Nagorno-Karabakh problem, has anyone in this building been in touch with either Baku or Yerevan this week this week to sort things out? We still keep hearing different narratives.

MR PATEL: I don’t have any specific calls or readouts to offer, but let me offer this, Alex. The closure of the Lachin Corridor has potentially severe humanitarian implications and, quite candidly, sets back the peace process. We’re pleased that natural gas to Nagorno- Karabakh has been restored. Disruptions to energy infrastructure could precipitate a humanitarian crisis, as I said. And we call on the restoration of free movement through the corridor as soon as possible, and the way forward to this is through negotiations.

QUESTION: And does the administration believe that the sides are still interested in signing a peace agreement by the end of the year?

MR PATEL: I wouldn’t assign a timeline to it, Alex, but this is something that, as you – you’ve covered this issue quite closely. This is something that you know that the Secretary has a great interest in and has paid very close attention to, other senior leaders across the department have as well, and it’s something that we’re going to continue to remain deeply engaged on and get to cross the finish line.

QUESTION: And two more on the human rights —

MR PATEL: I’m going to – got – I’m going to let John go, and then we probably need to wrap up, guys.