Mirzoyan: After COP 29, we failed to discuss the fate of Armenian  prisoners of war with Azerbaijan

ArmInfo.  The most recent significant discussion regarding the issue of Armenian prisoners of war took place during the UN Climate Change Conference (COP 29) in Baku.  Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan made this statement during a briefing with journalists on June 5, touching upon the efforts being made to release Armenian prisoners.

He noted that it has not been possible to establish a constructive  dialogue with the Azerbaijani side on this issue. At the same time,  Mirzoyan links the possibility of achieving progress on this issue  with the signing of a peace treaty between Armenia and Azerbaijan.  The Minister also touched upon Azerbaijan's ongoing demands in the  context of signing a peace treaty, including regarding amendments to  the Constitution of Armenia. He stated that he sees a "window of  opportunity" for both sides in the process of finally resolving the  situation and signing a peace treaty.

According to Mirzoyan, the Armenian side is asking Baku to specify  issues that are hindering the signing of a peace treaty and is ready  to consider them if they are justified. "Negotiations are not a  one-time event, but but rather a long-term process of interaction. I  am confident that in the near future there will be real chances to  establish peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan, sign a peace treaty  and reach consensus on other important issues," the minister assured.

At the same time, Mirzoyan contradicted himself, adding that although  he believes in achieving peace, the extent to which this peace is  achievable in reality is "another question". In fact, he made it  clear that the Armenian side cannot guarantee success in this  process. "We are doing everything possible to achieve peace,"  Mirzoyan emphasized.

Touching upon whether the peace treaty includes a clause requiring  Azerbaijan to liberate the occupied territories of Armenia, Mirzoyan  confirmed the existence of such territories, noting that they cover  208 square kilometers. He stated that the Armenian side has  repeatedly raised this issue and sees its resolution within the  framework of the border demarcation process. However, Mirzoyan could  not adequately explain why the issue of returning sovereign Armenian  territories is being addressed through the demarcation and  delimitation process. Regarding Azerbaijan's statements about the  return of Azerbaijanis to the so-called "Western Azerbaijan",  Mirzoyan noted that this issue is not currently on the agenda of  either the Armenian or  Azerbaijani side. According to him, such  statements are perceived by Yerevan as a threat to the territorial  integrity of Armenia. "Of course, we have informed the Azerbaijani  side about this, but they, in turn, do not share our position,  speaking about their own vision of the issue," the head of the  Foreign Ministry concluded.