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Armenia and Azerbaijan have made significant progress in addressing difficult issues at U.S.-hosted marathon talks this week, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said.

“After an intensive and constructive series of bilateral and trilateral discussions, the parties made significant progress in addressing difficult issues. Both demonstrated a sincere commitment to normalizing relations and ending the long-standing conflict between their two countries,” Blinken said in a statement on Thursday.

The two countries agreed in principle to certain terms and have a better understanding of one another’s positions on outstanding issues, the diplomat stated.

“I have proposed the Ministers to return to their capitals to share with their governments the perspective that, with additional goodwill, flexibility, and compromise, an agreement is within reach. They will continue to have the full support and engagement of the United States in their effort to secure a durable and sustainable peace,” Blinken said.

He said in a tweet after the end of the Armenia-Azerbaijan talks that he was “pleased with the progress made and optimistic an agreement is within reach.”

It was an honor to host Azerbaijani Foreign Minister @Bayramov_Jeyhun and Armenian Foreign Minister @AraratMirzoyan at our beautiful new @FSIatState campus. Pleased with the progress made and optimistic an agreement is within reach. pic.twitter.com/rLOIwvagmM

— Secretary Antony Blinken (@SecBlinken) May 4, 2023