The Karabakh is a complicated problem. The U.S. understands this and wants to help Azerbaijan to solve this problem, Derse said.
The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988 when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. Armenian armed forces have occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan since 1992, including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and 7 surrounding districts. Azerbaijan and Armenia signed a ceasefire agreement in 1994. The co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group - Russia, France, and the U.S. - are currently holding the peace negotiations.
However, only Armenia and Azerbaijan can achieve peace. And we can help these countries, Derse said. She denied comments that settlement of the conflict depends on the U.S. and Russia. "This is not so," she said.
Presidential elections were held in the U.S. in November 2008. Democrat Barack Obama became country's new President.
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