MFA: Resolving issue of missing persons key to peacebuilding in South Caucasus

Resolving the issue of missing persons is an important factor in strengthening peace and trust in the South Caucasus, Elnur Mammadov, member of the State Commission for Prisoners of War, Hostages and Missing Persons and Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, said at an international conference themed "Enhancing Cooperation and Advancing Modern Approaches in Addressing the Issue of Missing Persons."

According to Report, he stated that Azerbaijan has consistently approached the matter from a humanitarian perspective, stressing that it remains a long-standing and painful issue affecting families for more than three decades.

"Resolving the issue of missing persons requires joint efforts from all sides and transparent cooperation. Each missing person represents a family tragedy. Azerbaijan has been facing this problem for more than 30 years. The issue of missing persons is a priority on the global humanitarian agenda," he said.

Mammadov also noted that since November 2020, Azerbaijan has handed over the remains of more than 2,000 Armenian servicemen recovered from former conflict zones, adding that Azerbaijani servicemen carried out search operations under difficult weather conditions and in areas heavily contaminated with landmines.