U.S. Vice President Joe Biden met with the presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan separately on April 1 and called on them to peacefully settle the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.
Biden "expressed concern about continued violence, called for dialogue, and emphasized the importance of a comprehensive settlement for the long-term stability, security, and prosperity of the region," the White House said.
Both of the Caucasus leaders, in turn, said they encouraged the United States to take an active role in reaching a settlement.
In his meeting with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, "the Vice President welcomed the recent releases from prison of human rights and civil society activists and encouraged continued progress, underscoring the importance of civil society and rule of law to Azerbaijan's economic prosperity and development," the White House said.
Biden also said "there are good possibilities of further broadening bilateral ties in all areas, including the economy," Aliyev's office said.
In his meeting with Armenian President Serzh Sarkisian, Biden thanked him for recently welcoming more than 20,000 Syrian refugees and said the United States is "committed to a democratic, prosperous, and secure Armenia at peace with its neighbors," the White House said.