Release of remaining captives held in Azerbaijan to contribute to reconciliation, says Armenian FM

Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan told the PACE plenary session on Wednesday that the release of the remaining 19 Armenian captives in Azerbaijan would be a significant contribution to the reconciliation process between the two countries.

In his speech at the winter plenary session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, FM Mirzoyan also spoke about the Armenian-Azerbaijani normalization.

The Foreign Minister emphasized that, although Armenia has faced painful trials in recent years, including war and its subsequent humanitarian consequences, the country has made a clear and deliberate choice for peace, taking decisive steps that have allowed the South Caucasus to move toward peace.

Mirzoyan noted that, in particular, the Peace Summit held in Washington on August 8, 2025, marked a historic turning point, with the joint declaration signed by the Prime Minister of Armenia and the President of Azerbaijan, witnessed by the U.S. President.

“Together with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan, we initialed the agreement on the establishment of peace and interstate relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan, setting out the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity as the unwavering foundations for lasting peace and stability in our region,” the Foreign Minister said. According to him, for Armenia, this represents a solemn promise to its citizens who have suffered from a decades-long conflict.

“Recently, the release of four Armenian prisoners from Azerbaijan gives us hope that the release of the remaining 19 individuals still held in Azerbaijan, the clarification of the fate of the missing persons, and cooperation in this regard will undoubtedly also make a significant contribution to reconciliation," Mirzoyan emphasized.

According to the Foreign Minister, peace—as well as democracy—cannot be something simply given; they must be constantly nurtured, protected, and renewed against both external and internal pressures.

"In this context, I want to emphasize that we deeply appreciate the consistent attention of the Council of Europe to our region. We value the unwavering commitment of the Secretary General of the Council of Europe, the President of the Parliamentary Assembly, and this Assembly to supporting the normalization of relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan. We are turning the page on decades of enmity and are grateful that you stand with us on this historic path toward a stable and prosperous future," Mirzoyan stated.

The remaining Armenian captives and detainees in Azerbaijan include former political and military leaders of Nagorno-Karabakh, such as former presidents Arayik Harutyunyan, Bako Sahakyan, and Arkady Ghukasyan; former Foreign Minister Davit Babayan; former Defense Minister Levon Mnatsakanyan; and former State Minister Ruben Vardanyan.