ArmInfo.Armenian Deputy Foreign Minister Vahan Kostanyan refrained from answering the question of whether Pashinyan discussed the issue of prisoners of war at a meeting with Aliyev. "The issue of prisoners of war is brought up in all meetings between representatives of Armenia and Azerbaijan," Kostanyan said on November 7, in response to a question from journalists about whether the matter was addressed during the recent meeting between Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev in Kazan on the sidelines of BRICS.
"After the meeting between the heads of the two states, we have observed an intensification in the negotiation process, and in the general logic of the peace treaty, the issues highlighted by journalists are also being discussed," Kostanyan switched to another topic. When asked by a journalist about Armenia's efforts to resolve the issue of Armenian prisoners of war, Kostanyan mentioned that they were maintaining regular communication with the International Committee of the Red Cross. The organization visits Armenian citizens detained in Baku on a monthly basis.
"We receive information, including updates on their health status, and we actively collaborate with international partners, like the UN special procedures, who have a clear mandate to participate in these processes," the deputy minister noted, adding that the Republic of Armenia's priority is the return of all its citizens.
At the same time, Kostanyan refrained from directly answering to the question of whether Armenia would acknowledge the military-political leadership of Artsakh as prisoners in Baku. He only reiterated the memorized words that all compatriots in Azerbaijan must be returned, and this is important for ending the conflict. Regarding Armenia's participation in the Climate Conference (COP29) in Baku, Kostanyan stated that a decision has not yet been finalized.
