The issue of the return of Armenian war prisoners and illegally detained persons in Azerbaijan in 2021 was raised at various international platforms, the Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan said.

His remarks came on Monday during the joint session of the parliamentary standing committees at the preliminary hearing on the state budget 2021 in the National Assembly.

According to him, this issue was also raised by various international organizations and structures. They, in particular, made statements calling for the return of prisoners.

"Work on the release of Armenian prisoners of war and civilians illegally held by Azerbaijan continued. The said problem was presented to both high-ranking international officials and heads of state and advisors and organizations and experts engaged in the protection of human rights. The relevant UN, CoE and OSCE procedures were also applied. The issue of the return of prisoners of war was raised at the meetings of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs and was touched upon in the statements of the Co-Chairs, including the statement of 7 December issued on behalf of the Co-Chair countries," Mirzoyan noted.

Besides, documents on the issue of prisoners were distributed to international organizations operating in New York, Geneva, Strasbourg, Vienna and Brussels. Mirzoyan assured that Armenia's permanent representatives have always raised the issue and continue to do so.

According to the FM, the issue of the urgent need for the Armenian POWs was also raised by the President of the European Commission, the EU External Action Service and over 100 members of the European Parliament.