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U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken opened a new round of peace talks between the Armenian and Azerbaijani foreign ministers in Washington on Tuesday.

Blinken held separate meetings with Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan and Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov before attending the opening session of the talks in Arlington, Virginia.

U.S. State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said on Monday that the talks would last for three days.

“The United States is encouraged by recent efforts of Armenia and Azerbaijan to engage productively on the peace process, and we will continue to assist them any way that we can to build on that momentum. Today was the first day of meetings that will continue through Thursday, and we will have further updates as the week goes on,” he told a press briefing.

Blinken highlighted direct dialogue as the key to resolving issues and reaching durable peace after the talks with the Armenian and Azerbaijani ministers.

“Hosting peace talks this week with Foreign Ministers Ararat Mirzoyan and Jeyhun Bayramov at the National Foreign Affairs Training Center. We support Armenia and Azerbaijan working together toward a durable and dignified agreement. Dialogue is key to lasting peace,” he tweeted.