Mirzoyan: Armenia has chosen a difficult path to reconciliation with Azerbaijan, which is complicated by the detention of 19 Armenians in Baku
23.02.2026,
18:09
Armenia has chosen a difficult path to reconciliation with Azerbaijan, which is complicated by the fact that 19 Armenians are still being held in Baku, stated Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan.
YEREVAN, February 23. /ARKA/. Armenia has chosen a difficult path to reconciliation with Azerbaijan, which is complicated by the fact that 19 Armenians are still being held in Baku, stated Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan.
"After decades of armed conflicts and humanitarian crises, Armenia and Azerbaijan have taken decisive steps towards establishing long-term peace in our region," Mirzoyan noted, speaking at the high-level meeting of the 61st session of the UN Human Rights Council on Monday.
According to him, the Peace Summit held in Washington last year not only established peace between the two countries but also paved the way for the development of trade, connectivity, and people-to-people contacts.
"In order to continue this path beyond the agreements reached between governments, we are laying the foundations for genuine dialogue and trust between our societies, including the affected populations. While the painful humanitarian consequences of the conflict still need to be addressed, and wounds from both the distant and recent past remain open, we have chosen the difficult path of reconciliation," Mirzoyan said.
This, according to the minister, is undoubtedly a difficult process, given that 19 Armenian detainees remain in Baku, the continued need to clarify the fate of missing persons and investigate cases of enforced disappearances, and the continued dissemination of distorted historical narratives.
"Nevertheless, Armenia remains firmly committed to continuing this path with the goal of bringing it to a future-oriented stage, recognizing that the further institutionalization of peace will create a more favorable environment for addressing the consequences of the conflict," Mirzoyan emphasized.
"After decades of armed conflicts and humanitarian crises, Armenia and Azerbaijan have taken decisive steps towards establishing long-term peace in our region," Mirzoyan noted, speaking at the high-level meeting of the 61st session of the UN Human Rights Council on Monday.
According to him, the Peace Summit held in Washington last year not only established peace between the two countries but also paved the way for the development of trade, connectivity, and people-to-people contacts.
"In order to continue this path beyond the agreements reached between governments, we are laying the foundations for genuine dialogue and trust between our societies, including the affected populations. While the painful humanitarian consequences of the conflict still need to be addressed, and wounds from both the distant and recent past remain open, we have chosen the difficult path of reconciliation," Mirzoyan said.
This, according to the minister, is undoubtedly a difficult process, given that 19 Armenian detainees remain in Baku, the continued need to clarify the fate of missing persons and investigate cases of enforced disappearances, and the continued dissemination of distorted historical narratives.
"Nevertheless, Armenia remains firmly committed to continuing this path with the goal of bringing it to a future-oriented stage, recognizing that the further institutionalization of peace will create a more favorable environment for addressing the consequences of the conflict," Mirzoyan emphasized.
