Pelosi Visiting Armenia Condemns Azerbaijan's "Illegal and Horrific Attack"

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy New York=Special Correspondent Joselgina] Nancy Pelosi, Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, visited Yerevan, the capital of Armenia, on the 18th (local time) and condemned the recent clashes at the Azerbaijan border, stating that "Azerbaijan committed illegal and horrific attacks."

According to CNBC and others, during a press conference on the same day with the U.S. congressional delegation visiting Armenia, Speaker Pelosi said, "The United States is closely monitoring the situation." The death toll from the clashes at the border from the 12th to the 14th has exceeded 200.

Speaker Pelosi stated that this visit is to emphasize the United States' commitment to Armenia's security and democracy. She said, "The United States is interested in the development of democracy, sovereignty, and territorial integrity," and expressed readiness to assist Armenia.

Speaker Pelosi is the highest-ranking U.S. official to visit Armenia, which gained independence from the former Soviet Union in 1991. Last year, President Joe Biden officially recognized the massacre of 1.5 million Armenians by the Ottoman Empire in the early 20th century as a genocide. Local media reported that this differs from the stance of previous U.S. administrations.

Azerbaijan immediately reacted. The Azerbaijani Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement calling it an "unfair remark" and expressed deep regret, saying it "seriously damages efforts to normalize relations between Azerbaijan and Armenia."

Meanwhile, major U.S. media outlets interpreted Speaker Pelosi's visit to Armenia as a political move ahead of elections, similar to her visit to Taiwan in August.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.