Nagorno-Karabakh – Release of Armenian detainees and handover of maps of minefields in the Azerbaijani districts of Fizuli and Zangilan (4 July 2021)

France, co-chair of the OSCE’s Minsk Group, welcomes Azerbaijan’s release of 15 Armenian detainees and Armenia’s handover of maps of minefields in the Azerbaijani districts of Fizuli and Zangilan.

Following that of 11 June, this exchange is a significant new gesture to reduce tensions on the ground and help restore trust between the parties. France calls for the pledges made by the parties on 9 November 2020 to be implemented, including the resumption of substantial dialogue and the release of all the Armenian prisoners still being held.

Together with its partners in the Minsk Group co-presidency, France calls for this positive momentum to be continued and remains committed alongside the parties to building a lasting peace in the Caucasus.