Despite shutdown in Azerbaijan, ICRC to continue contacts with Baku authorities - Daphnée Maret
2 minute read
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) will close its office in Baku on September 3 at the request of Azerbaijani authorities, Daphnée Maret, the Head of ICRC Delegation in Armenia, told reporters on Friday.
“Yes, regrettably we will have to close our delegation in Baku on September 3 at the request of the authorities,” she said, adding that the ICRC will continue to offer its services as a neutral mediator.
“We will continue to offer our services in any role that we can have as a neutral mediator to help resolve the issue of the missing persons. This doesn’t mean that we will never have contact with the Azerbaijani authorities again. Discussions are still ongoing and we believe that there could be new opportunities to work,” she said.
“Now is a crucial moment also regarding the possible signing of the peace agreement. The draft stipulates that permanent work and coordination regarding the missing persons will be carried out with an international organization,” Maret said, referring to the initialed peace agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan. “But this doesn’t mean that we won’t maintain contact with the authorities in Baku. We will try to remain neutral and offer our mediation role in several issues. Certainly, the issue of the missing persons is one of the most important ones,” she said.