Deputy Foreign Minister clarifies: the issue of the so-called return  of 3,000 Azerbaijanis to Armenia not included in draft peace treaty

ArmInfo.The issue of the so-called return of 3,000 Azerbaijanis to Armenia is not included in  the draft peace treaty, as stated by Armenian Deputy Foreign Minister Vahan Kostanyan during a briefing on October 3.

At the same time, when asked if the right of Artsakh refugees to  return home is being discussed with international partners, the  Deputy Minister refused to answer. He said that the Prime Minister  had addressed the topic thoroughly during the government hour in  Parliament the previous day.  Touching on the topic of prisoners,  media representatives inquired about the existence of a competing  document to regulate this issue. The Deputy Minister responded  negatively, but emphasized that this topic is within the general  logic of the negotiation process. "Various humanitarian issues,  including the return of prisoners, are always at the forefront of the  Foreign Ministry's attention and we constantly raise this issue  during various meetings," he said. When discussing the peace treaty,  Kostanyan mentioned that the Armenian side believes the agreed points  are adequate to, at the very least, establish diplomatic relations  between the countries and continue discussions on additional matters. 

At the same time, he emphasized that the risk of escalation remains  until a signed agreement is reached between Armenia and Azerbaijan,.  When journalists asked whether the peace treaty would guarantee no  war, the Deputy Minister replied: "The treaty will further enhance  the potential for stability in the South Caucasus."