Artsakh foreign minister discusses with head of ICRC Mission fate of soldier captured by Azerbaijani side

YEREVAN, August 19. /ARKA/. On August 19, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Artsakh (Nagorno Karabakh Republic) Masis Mayilian received Monday the Head of the Stepanakert Office of   of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) Mission Pierre-Emmanuel Ducruet, the press office of the Artsakh foreign ministry reports.

An exchange of views took place on the fate of serviceman of Artsakh Republic Defense Army Arayik Ghazaryan, who had found himself on the territory of Azerbaijan under still unclear circumstances. In this context, the need for parties to the conflict to fulfill their obligations on complying with international humanitarian law was emphasized.

During the meeting, the sides also discussed a wide range of issues of mutual interest.

The foreign minister noted the importance of continuation of the current cooperation and reiterated the readiness of Artsakh foreign ministry to do its utmost to assist to the activities of the Red Cross.

Karabakh conflict broke out in 1988 when Karabakh, mainly populated by Armenians, declared its independence from Azerbaijan.

On December 10, 1991, a few days after the collapse of the Soviet Union, a referendum took place in Nagorno-Karabakh, and the majority of the population (99.89%) voted for secession from Azerbaijan.

Afterwards, large-scale military operations began. As a result, Azerbaijan lost control over Nagorno-Karabakh and the seven regions adjacent to it.

Some 30,000 people were killed in this war and about one million people fled their homes.  

On May 12, 1994, the Bishkek cease-fire agreement put an end to the military operations.

Тalks brokered by OSCE Minsk Group are being held over peaceful settlement of the conflict. The group is co-chaired by USA, Russia and France. -0----