Baku: The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan, Jeyhun Bayramov, met with Director General of the International Commission on Missing Persons (ICMP) Kathryne Bomberger, who is currently visiting the country, as reported by the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry to APA. During this meeting, discussions centered on the cooperation agenda between Azerbaijan and the ICMP, with a focus on efforts to ascertain the fate of missing persons in the post-conflict period and the significance of international collaboration in this area.
According to Azeri-Press News Agency, Minister Jeyhun Bayramov highlighted that nearly 4,000 Azerbaijanis remain unaccounted for due to Armenia's military aggression, underscoring that resolving the issue of missing persons is a key humanitarian concern for Azerbaijan. He emphasized the necessity for Armenia to fully disclose information about the locations of mass graves, burial sites, and minefield maps, which is crucial for determining the fate of the missing individuals.
The meeting also stressed the importance of including provisions on missing persons in the draft Agreement on Peace and the Establishment of Interstate Relations between Azerbaijan and Armenia. The need for practical measures to build confidence and address the humanitarian consequences of the conflict was noted as essential.
Both parties praised the effective partnership between the State Commission on Prisoners of War, Hostages and Missing Persons and the ICMP. This collaboration is seen as crucial for determining the fate of missing persons, enhancing identification capabilities, and incorporating international best practices.
Minister Bayramov also mentioned that following the 44-day Patriotic War, Azerbaijan remained committed to its humanitarian obligations and conducted extensive search operations despite a challenging security environment and the threat of mines. He noted that the remains of over 2,000 Armenian servicemen had been handed over to the Armenian side, demonstrating Azerbaijan's respect for international humanitarian law and its constructive approach to humanitarian issues.
The meeting provided insights into the mass graves discovered in Azerbaijan's liberated territories, the exhumation and identification work conducted there, and the measures taken by relevant state authorities. Additionally, the sides exchanged views on regional issues of mutual interest and ICMP's activities in other countries.