UK government welcomes Azerbaijan's release of 17 Armenian prisoners.

"The UK government welcomes the release of 17 Armenian prisoners by Azerbaijan. This is an important humanitarian gesture. We continue to encourage both sides to resolve all outstanding issues through diplomatic means, including discussions on the fate of missing people and to secure the return of all remaining prisoners of war," the statement said.

Earlier, the Armenian MOD reported that the Azerbaijani side returned 17 POWs to Armenia with U.S. mediation.