Department of State: US welcomes release of detainees by Armenia, Azerbaijan

The US welcomed an announcement on December 7 by Armenia and Azerbaijan of the release of two Azerbaijani and 32 Armenian detainees. 

"This commitment represents an important confidence-building measure as the sides work to finalise a peace agreement and normalise relations," US Department of State spokesman Matthew Miller said in a statement, Caliber.Az reports.

"We commend Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan for their joint efforts to lay the groundwork for a more peaceful and prosperous future for the people of the South Caucasus," he said, adding that the US will continue to support efforts to reach a durable and dignified peace.

Azerbaijan and Armenia agreed to the mutual release of detainees, according to a statement from the two countries, in a step toward peace.

"Two countries reconfirm their intention to normalise relations and to reach the peace treaty on the basis of respect for the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity,” it said.

On December 7, the Azerbaijani Presidential Administration and the Office of the Armenian Prime Minister Armenia released a joint statement, saying that the two countries “share the view that there is a historical chance to achieve a long-awaited peace in the region. Two countries reconfirm their intention to normalize relations and to reach a peace treaty based on respect for the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity.”

Following the talks between the Azerbaijani Presidential Administration and the Office of the Armenian Prime Minister, an agreement has been reached on taking tangible steps towards building confidence between the two countries.

Moreover, an agreement has been reached to release 32 individuals of Armenian origin by Azerbaijan and two Azerbaijani servicemen by Armenia as a sign of goodwill and humanism, the statement said.

The 32 individuals destined for return to Armenia, 26 of whom were arrested during anti-terror measures in the Hadrut direction in December 2020, with the remaining six detained at the border on different occasions, have already served the majority of their sentences.

The agreement has been reached through direct negotiations between the Azerbaijani Presidential Administration and the Office of the Armenian Prime Minister with no involvement of the third country.