The release of Armenian captives by Azerbaijan will strengthen peace. Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan stated this at a joint press conference with his visiting Estonian counterpart, in Yerevan on Friday.

The Armenian FM documented Yerevan's unwavering position that the established peace with Azerbaijan requires institutionalization. He noted that peace exists, and we are reaping its fruits, but we also know that it needs to be preserved.

Mirzoyan noted that along with the resolved issues, such as transit and bilateral trade, there are also unresolved issues, the most sensitive of which for the Armenian society is the issue of Armenian prisoners in Azerbaijan.

“There are [Armenian] prisoners in Baku [the capital of Azerbaijan]. They should be released as soon as possible, and their release will strengthen peace,” the Armenian official said, adding that the dialogue with the Azerbaijani side is continuing.

The Armenian FM noted that the departure of the International Committee of the Red Cross—by decision of the Azerbaijani authorities—from Azerbaijan has complicated the situation. The problem exists, efforts are ongoing, but there is no news yet, Mirzoyan concluded, adding that the only news that could be is the release of a new group of Armenian captives by Azerbaijan.