United States, European Union welcome release of 10 Armenian prisoners of war from Azerbaijan
YEREVAN, December 20. /ARKA/. The European Union welcomed the release of 10 Armenian prisoners of war from Azerbaijan, who were captured in the November 16 clashes between Azerbaijani and Armenian troops.
EU Special Representative for the South Caucasus and the crisis in Georgia Toivo Klaar tweeted his joy over the return of 10 Armenian soldiers.
"Happy to have been able to repatriate 10 servicemen. An important gesture in the process of addressing humanitarian issues," Klaar pointed out. According to him, the EU will continue to work with both countries to build on successful meetings between Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan with the head of the European Council Charles Michel.
EU Pesident Charles Michel has reposted Klaar’s twit adding: ‘Warmly welcome Baku’s release of 10 Armenian detainees in follow up to discussions with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan. ‘An important humanitarian gesture demonstrating the mutual will to strengthen confidence as discussed in Brussels. EU facilitated transfer to Yerevan.’
French President Emmanuel Macron also welcomed the repatriation of Armenian prisoners of war by tweeting: ‘Ten Armenian servicemen have been released. I want to salute the decisive action of the European Union, with which we will continue to carry this path of dialogue towards peace between Azerbaijan and Armenia. We are making progress.’
Also, the U.S. Department of State Ned Price tweeted: ‘We welcome Azerbaijan's release of 10 Armenian detainees on December 19 with EU support. We urge the full and expeditious release of all remaining detainees, exchange of remains, and accounting for missing persons. We stress the importance of humane treatment of detainees in accordance with international obligations.’
Armenian Foreign Ministry on Sunday reported about the return of 10 Armenian prisoners of war from Azerbaijan through the mediation of President of the European Council Charles Michel.
Earlier, on December 4, Russia mediated the return of other 10Armenian prisoners of war from Azerbaijan. -0-
