U.S. lifts Armenia, Azerbaijan weapons sales ban

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- The Bush administration has lifted a ban on weapons sales to the Caucasus countries of Armenia and Azerbaijan, citing "positive developments" in the two countries.

The countries were banned from such sales under the International Traffic in Arms Regulations since 1993 for their armed conflict over the ethnic territory of Nagorno-Karabakh.

Under the regulations, the United States was forced to deny licenses and approval of other exports and imports of defense materials and services to the feuding countries.

Deputy State Department spokesman Phil Reeker said that removing the restrictions will "help deepen our military cooperation with both countries, which will contribute to peace and stability in the Caucasus."

"We believe there have been positive developments in Armenia and Azerbaijan and it is in our foreign policy and national security interests to remove them," Reeker said.

The Bush administration lifted restrictions on U.S. aid to Azerbaijan in January in appreciation for Baku's support in the U.S.-led war on terrorism.