We never refuse meetings. However, any meeting, if it is not organized only for the purpose of recording its holding, must meet certain criteria. Armenia’s Foreign Minister Ara Aivazian stated this in an interview with RIA Novosti.

"First of all, we are talking about creating an appropriate atmosphere, a clear agenda, and, no less important, it must be done if the other side is able to adhere to the agreements.

The exchange of prisoners of war, captives, and other detainees is envisioned by the November 9, 2020 tripartite statement. Systematic interdepartmental work is being done in this direction at the national level. Armenia has fulfilled its obligations to hand over prisoners of war on an ‘all for all’ basis. Contrary to that, Azerbaijan creates artificial and unfounded obstacles to the immediate repatriation of Armenian prisoners of war and detained civilians. The Azerbaijani side manipulates the list of Armenian captives and refuses to accept the fact that Armenian servicemen and civilians are being held captive. Moreover, Baku is initiating criminal cases against some prisoners of war on false charges.

Such behavior of Azerbaijan not only contradicts the norms of international humanitarian law, but is also a direct violation of the provisions of the trilateral statement—thus calling into question the implementation of its provisions in general.

Prompt and safe return of all prisoners of war is a priority. We commend the efforts of the Russian Federation as a responsible and impartial mediator in the full implementation of the agreement on the return of prisoners of war. Thanks to joint efforts, it was possible for some of the Armenian captives to return to their homeland. The further delay in resolving this humanitarian issue, of course, not only deepens the pain of the Armenian society, but at the same time is a direct challenge to the Russian Federation as a guarantor of the implementation of the November 9 trilateral statement and to the international community in general," the Armenian FM added.