ArmInfo. The issue of the return of prisoners of war is constantly in the focus of Russia's priority attention. Russian Ambassador to Armenia Sergey Kopyrkin stated this in an interview with journalists on June 22, adding that Moscow welcomed the return of 15 prisoners of war.
"This is a step, of course, in the right direction. It is known that Russia initially has done and is doing everything possible to ensure that this is carried out and that movement along this path goes forward. The personal role of the Commander of our peacekeeping contingent, General Rustam Muradov, in this case is very important. The President of the country the Minister of Defense and the Minister of Foreign Affairs are engaged in this, "the ambassador said, noting that it is not always easy and requires serious efforts.
At the same time, Kopyrkin believes that the last exchange (exchange of prisoners for maps of the minefields of Aghdam, Ed. note) would not have been possible if it had not been for the preparatory, very significant work of the Russian side, Russian peacekeepers.
"This work is constantly in the focus of attention, in the focus of efforts, and the work will continue," the diplomat said.
He also found it difficult to comment in any way on the information about the possible deployment of peacekeepers of the OSCE countries in the region, noting that this topic was voiced, but he does not have any information about this.
At the same time, referring to the mediation mission of the OSCE Minsk Group, Kopyrkin noted that Russia proceeds from the fact that the format of the co-chairs continues to operate. "There are issues that are on the agenda of the OSCE Minsk Group format. I think that much will still depend on the position of the parties," the Russian diplomat concluded. -sh-