Armenian FM Ararat Mirzoyan stated on Friday that the immediate repatriation of Armenian prisoners of war and captured civilians held in Azerbaijan remains a priority. In the words of Mirzoyan, Azerbaijan continues violating the provisions of the Geneva Conventions and the trilateral statement from November 9, 2020, creating artificial barriers for returning the captives. As the press department at the foreign ministry reported, Mirzoyan's remarks came at a meeting on Friday with Gilles Carbonnier, the Vice President of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).
Mirzoyan attached importance to the ICRC mission in Artsakh as the only international organisation at present operating in the region and providing assistance to the population suffered as a result of the Azerbaijani aggression. According to the minister, despite proofs presented by the Armenian side, Azerbaijan still conceals the actual number of captured Armenians and places of their detention which is an indication of cases of forced disappearances.
During the meeting, the ICRC delegation expressed readiness to continue their support to the RA authorities in overcoming the post-war humanitarian issues.
