We Quickly Return Our Captives, They Also Gain Time—They Are Rapidly Clearing Those Areas: Political Scientist

On Saturday, a group of 15 captives returned from Baku to Armenia. Simultaneously, Azerbaijan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that Armenia had provided maps of the mined areas in Khovsakan and Varanda in exchange for the captives.

In an interview with ArmDaily.am, political scientist Zhirayr Azizyan stated that if the Azerbaijani side has set a condition for the maps of the mined areas in exchange for the captives, we must choose what is more important to us. "We must make a choice—whether to bring back the captives or to provide the maps of the mined areas—what is more important to us? If people criticize this approach, I am asking all those people now, what is more important to us?" Azizyan said.

When asked why Armenia does not compel Azerbaijan to adhere to the captive exchange terms of the November 9 agreement, the political scientist replied that the Azerbaijani side is attempting to artificially create complications to prolong the return of the captives as much as possible. "We do not know how long this artificial prolongation will last. Now we need to understand what is more important for us at this moment—providing the maps or leaving it uncertain, as no one can say how long that will be—whether it will last a few months, a year, or if they will extend the process by creating artificial complications," Azizyan emphasized.

The political scientist notes that Azerbaijanis would clear those areas anyway; the issue is merely about time: "Now we are gaining time—we quickly return our captives, and they are also gaining time; they are rapidly clearing those areas." Regarding the mined areas in the occupied territories, he pointed out that there are no infrastructures or standing buildings in those areas where rapid resettlement can take place; that is a matter of decades.

Addressing the issue of providing maps of the mined territories in exchange for captives, the political scientist remarked that yes, there are many mistakes, but one should not cross the line: "If you are criticizing, tell us what you are proposing, what is more correct?"