ArmInfo OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, Swedish Foreign Minister Ann Linde again called on Azerbaijan to release the Armenian prisoners of war, resume negotiations under the auspices of the Minsk Group co-chairs and reach a political solution.
"I don't agree that the OSCE doesn't make a lot of efforts for the conflict settlement, for what is happening in Nagorno Karabakh. I have a special representative who is very active. I personally met with him yesterday to discuss the situation. We have an OSCE Minsk Group Co- Chairmanship, co-chaired by US, Russia and France which try to make very positive steps", she said, during a press conference today commenting on the view of "Armenpress", that the Armenian society is disappointed with the OSCE's passive position during the 2020 Nagorno Karabak War and asked whether she shares the view of Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev who says that the NK conflict is solved, Ann Linde said: adding that the Co-Chairs, however, had a limited access to the region last year because of the pandemic and other reasons.
The OSCE Chairperson-in Office reminded that in mid-June there was an agreement to return 15 Armenian prisoners of war from Azerbaijan, and Armenia provided Azerbaijan with maps aimed at facilitating the demining works. According to Mrs. Linde, this is a welcoming step aimed at strengthening trust.
"With my statement I have called on Armenia, Azerbaijan to take a positive step by releasing all remaining detainees and resume the negotiations under the auspices of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairmanship, and also to find a political solution with the engagement of Andrzej Kasprzyk, because there is no peace agreement yet", Ann Linde said.
To note, the Azerbaijani authorities, not only in violation of all agreements, have been keeping Armenian prisoners of war and civilians captured during the last 44-day war for 8 months already, but have also perpetrated illegal trials over them. Every day, groups of 13-16 people stand before an Azerbaijani court on fictional grave charges. Today, 27 Armenian prisoners of war at once were brought before an Azerbaijani court. To note, these actions of Baku run counter to the obligations undertaken by Azerbaijan within the framework of the trilateral statement of November 9, 2020. According to paragraph 8 of this document, the exchange of prisoners of war was to be carried out on the principle of "all for all," however, Azerbaijan speculates on this issue in every possible way and is trying to get political dividends.