Bayramov, ICMP chief discuss fate of missing Azerbaijanis

Foreign Minister of Azerbaijan Jeyhun Bayramov has met with Kathryne Bomberger, director-general of the International Commission on Missing Persons (ICMP), who is on a visit to Azerbaijan.

The Foreign Ministry told Report that the meeting discussed the cooperation agenda between Azerbaijan and the ICMP, work carried out to determine the fate of missing persons in the post-conflict period, and the importance of international cooperation in this area.

Bayramov noted that the fate of nearly 4,000 Azerbaijanis remains unknown as a result of Armenia's military aggression. He stressed that the issue of missing persons is one of Azerbaijan's priority humanitarian areas.

In this context, it was noted that Armenia's full provision of available information on the locations of mass graves, burial sites and mine maps is important for clarifying the fate of missing persons.

The sides emphasized the special importance of the provision on missing persons in the draft Agreement on Peace and Establishment of Interstate Relations between Azerbaijan and Armenia. They also noted the need for practical steps to build trust and address humanitarian consequences in this area.

The meeting highly appreciated the useful partnership established between the State Commission on Prisoners of War, Hostages and Missing Persons and the ICMP. It was stressed that this cooperation is important for determining the fate of missing persons, strengthening identification capabilities and applying international experience.

Bayramov said Azerbaijan had remained committed to its humanitarian obligations after the 44-day Patriotic War. He noted that, despite a difficult security environment and the mine threat, Azerbaijan had carried out large-scale search operations and handed over the bodies of more than 2,000 Armenian servicemen found during these efforts to the other side.

This step was described as a clear example of Azerbaijan's respect for international humanitarian law and its constructive approach to humanitarian issues.

The meeting also provided information on mass graves discovered in Azerbaijan's liberated territories, exhumation and identification work, and measures carried out by relevant state institutions.

The sides also exchanged views on regional issues of mutual interest and the ICMP's activities in other countries.