Prisoner exchange between Azerbaijan and Armenia

Azerbaijan and Armenia have carried out a prisoner exchange today following their decision to normalize relations. As part of the exchange, 2 Azerbaijani soldiers returned to their country in exchange for 32 Armenian soldiers.

EXCHANGE TOOK PLACE AT THE BORDER

In a statement issued by the State Commission of the Republic of Azerbaijan on Prisoners of War, Hostages and Missing Persons, it was stated, "Azerbaijan has released 32 Armenian soldiers, and Armenia has released two Azerbaijani soldiers." It was noted that the exchange took place at the Gazakh section of the Azerbaijan-Armenia state border.

The statement added, "The Armenian soldiers were handed over to Armenia after the International Committee of the Red Cross examined their health status and provided a positive assessment."

PASHINYAN SHARED

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan published the names of the 32 released soldiers on his social media account.

The exchange came after Baku and Yerevan issued a joint statement last week promising to achieve "long-awaited peace in the region" and announced the prisoner-of-war swap. The exchange was welcomed by all mediators of the conflict.

The EU, the US, as well as regional powers Turkey and Russia, praised the announcement as a "breakthrough."

Yerevan had announced in November that a total of 55 Armenian prisoners of war were being held in Baku. It was stated that this number consisted of six civilians, 41 soldiers, and eight separatist leaders arrested following Baku's military operation.

PEACE NEGOTIATIONS

The prisoner exchange has raised hopes for the revival of face-to-face talks between Pashinyan and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev.

The two leaders have met several times for normalization talks mediated by European Council President Charles Michel. However, the process stalled in October when Aliyev refused to participate in negotiations with Pashinyan in Spain, accusing France of being biased.

French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz were planned to join Michel as mediators in these talks. No visible progress has been made so far in the EU's efforts to organize a new round of negotiations.

Azerbaijan also refused to attend the talks scheduled for November 20 in the US due to Washington's "biased" stance. The influence of Russia, which has traditionally been the effective power in the region, has diminished due to the prolonged war in Ukraine.

News Source: 12punto