President Armen Sarkissian Meets with Families of the Missing

President Armen Sarkissian met today with the families of the individuals missing during the Artsakh war. Health Minister Anahit Avanesyan, Ombudsman Arman Tatoyan, and Chief Advisor to the Minister of Defense, Major General Arthur Simonian, were also present at the meeting.

The relatives of the missing individuals expressed their desire to meet with the President during a prior meeting with the head of his office.

The participants of the meeting requested President Sarkissian to use his international connections and authority to assist in the search for their missing loved ones. President Sarkissian assured them that he would do everything within his power, stating that the issues of captives and missing persons are always at the forefront of his attention, and he raises them in all his meetings with international partners.

The issue was also discussed in a previous meeting between President Sarkissian and the commander of the Russian peacekeeping force stationed in Nagorno-Karabakh, Lieutenant General Rustam Muradov.

“In addition, together with the Ombudsman Mr. Tatoyan, we will appeal to various international institutions regarding both captives and the missing. We will work through every possible avenue. Azerbaijan should not make our injured or healthy captives part of a transaction; this is unacceptable,” he stated.

The Health Minister, the Ombudsman, and the representative from the Ministry of Defense presented the ongoing efforts in the search for the missing and answered questions from the meeting participants. President Sarkissian suggested that they keep families of the missing updated on ongoing work and the situation.

“I deeply feel your pain and am ready to support you in every way within my capabilities,” said the President, suggesting that they maintain contact with the presidential institution as well.

President Sarkissian also responded to the questions of the families of the missing, listening to their concerns, views, and suggestions.