Albright, who is chairwoman of the board of directors of the U.S. National Democratic Institute, made her remarks today to RFE/RL in the Azeri capital Baku.
"There is the need -- the continued need -- to resolve the issue because it is something that is used by both parties in a way not to move forward in terms of very important democratic reforms," Albright said. "So I hope that there is a resolution."
Albrights's remarks come as international mediators involved in resolving the dispute are saying there is hope for a settlement to the conflict.
Armenia and Azerbaijan dispute the Nagorno-Karabakh enclave that ethnic Armenian forces seized more than 10 years ago. A truce was agreed to in 1994 but both states still lay claim to the enclave.
The United States, Russia, and France jointly chair the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe's special task force that was formed to resolve the long-standing conflict between the two Caucasian countries.
See also:
Officials Say Karabakh Deal Close At Hand
"There is the need -- the continued need -- to resolve the issue because it is something that is used by both parties in a way not to move forward in terms of very important democratic reforms," Albright said. "So I hope that there is a resolution."
Albrights's remarks come as international mediators involved in resolving the dispute are saying there is hope for a settlement to the conflict.
Armenia and Azerbaijan dispute the Nagorno-Karabakh enclave that ethnic Armenian forces seized more than 10 years ago. A truce was agreed to in 1994 but both states still lay claim to the enclave.
The United States, Russia, and France jointly chair the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe's special task force that was formed to resolve the long-standing conflict between the two Caucasian countries.
See also:
Officials Say Karabakh Deal Close At Hand
