Armenian prisoners still held in Azerbaijan is shameful for Baku – Deputy FM

Armenian Deputy Foreign Minister Paruyr Hovhannisyan said on Tuesday that the constant threats and dangerous statements made by Azerbaijan against Armenia are not surprising. 

Hovhannisyan made the remarks at the EU-Armenia Parliamentary Partnership Committee meeting in Yerevan, touching upon the peace talks between Armenia and Azerbaijan, among other issues. 

He said the fact that Armenian prisoners are still held in Azerbaijan is shameful for Baku.

“The rhetoric coming from Baku isn’t much of a surprise. Every time they send dangerous, threatening messages. Our prisoners are still there, which is a shameful process for Baku. We ask all our partners to be involved in the efforts that we are making for peace,” Hovhannisyan said.

Multiple Nagorno-Karabakh Armenians have been detained by Azerbaijan after it took control of Nagorno-Karabakh in the 2023 attack. The prisoners of war, who are facing a mock trial on fabricated charges, include former NK presidents Bako Sahakyan, Arkady Ghukasyan, Arayik Harutyunyan, as well as former State Minister Ruben Vardanyan. 

Hovhannisyan emphasized that Armenia recently presented to Azerbaijan proposals on the peace treaty regarding its position on outstanding articles, however Baku has not responded yet.

However, Hovhannisyan expressed hope that Armenia and Azerbaijan will have positive dynamics in the negotiations.

Speaking about the Armenia-Turkiye normalization process, the Deputy FM said that Armenia has made much effort to normalize relations with Turkiye. “The political dialogue is carried out on the level of foreign ministers, the president and prime minister, but the agreements haven’t yet been implemented. I am talking about the [agreement] on the opening of the Armenia-Turkiye border for diplomatic passport holders and citizens of third countries,” he said.