Photo: Retrieved from @CaucasusWarReport

Two days ago, on June 12, Azerbaijan released 15 Armenian citizens, previously captured during the recent Nagorno Karabakh conflict, who now returned to their families through Georgia’s territory. In turn, the Armenian side handed over to Azerbaijan important material concerning territories with concealed mines.

“We are grateful to Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili and the Government of Georgia for the essential role Georgia played in facilitating these steps,” reads the statement of the US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken. According to the Government of Georgia, PM Garibashvili personally maintained constant communication with President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and acting Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian to facilitate discussions between the sides and ensure the positive outcome of the process.

“Solving humanitarian issues, much the way it happened today, will promote the international community’s goals and will encourage a better political and security environment in the region,” reads the statement of the Government of Georgia from June 12.