News - Pashinyan: We are ready to exchange our captives on principle of ‘all for all’

The issue of captured Armenians in Azerbaijan is at the center of our daily attention. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said at a live press conference, answering questions from citizens of Armenia and compatriots from the diaspora. “I must express my sorrow that this essentially humanitarian issue is being used for political purposes, which, in my opinion, is somewhat illogical. We expressed our readiness to show flexibility on this issue and begin to work with Azerbaijan to return our prisoners. Negotiations are one way to resolve this issue. At the same time, we expressed our readiness to transfer Azerbaijanis convicted in Armenia to Azerbaijan, exchanging them for our prisoners, according to the principle 'all for all,’ giving the issue an exclusively humanitarian character. The second way to resolve the issue is the legal one. In all cases, Armenia has appealed to the ICC and other possible legal structures, but the work done cannot be considered sufficient while our brothers are in captivity. We will continue to work to resolve this issue and make every effort to do so. I am dissatisfied that progress has not been made on this issue to date, and I apologize to both our captured brothers and their families,” he said. At the same time, Nikol Pashinyan reminded that from 2020 to this day, more than 100 Armenians have returned from Azerbaijani captivity.