Armenian FM says return of Armenian captives held in Azerbaijan is an agenda issue
The exchange visits of the relatives of detainees held in Artsakh and Azerbaijan are under consideration, Armenian Foreign Minister Zohrab Mnatsakanyan said on Thursday, expressing hope the sides will find the right format to implement the initiative as a humanitarian act.
Mnatsakanyan’s remarks came at a press briefing in Yerevan when asked about the possibility of the relatives to visit the detainees on both sides. Mnatsakanyan, however, pointed to the sensitivity of the issue and the right approach, considering the fact that some of the detainees are involved in crimes and murder, while others have inadvertently crossed the border and occurred in the territory of the other side.
Th minister next reaffirmed Armenia’s commitment to the speedy release of Armenian captives. In his words, apart from being an humanitarian initiative, the step is important as a confidence building measure.