Mirzoyan on the Return of Displaced Armenian Refugees to Artsakh and Surrounding Areas

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Armenia is working with the UN High Commissioner for Refugees to ensure the return of displaced Armenian refugees to Artsakh and adjacent areas. This was stated by Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan during a Q&A session with government members in the National Assembly.

Member of Parliament Arusyak Julhakyan from the Civil Contract faction reminded about two directives from the Prime Minister to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, one concerning the activation of international mechanisms for the return of displaced Armenians from Artsakh and surrounding regions, as stipulated in the seventh point of the November 9 statement. The other directive was regarding efforts within the UN framework to establish international mechanisms for the prevention of genocides.

Mirzoyan stated that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs began working with the UN High Commissioner for Refugees almost immediately after the trilateral statement of November 9 to facilitate the return of refugees to Artsakh and adjoining territories, which are now under Azerbaijani control. Following Mirzoyan's appointment as Foreign Minister, this work has continued.

“There has been correspondence, and several meetings have taken place with my participation. The issue continues to be discussed. Following the Prime Minister’s directive, another meeting was held involving a representative of the High Commissioner without my presence,” said the Minister.

However, the issue is still under discussion. According to Mirzoyan, there are obstacles, which are raised by the Azerbaijani side. Even so, the Armenian side aims to be as constructive as possible to find solutions that actualize what is enshrined in the seventh point.

“Regarding the mechanisms for preventing genocide, we have been working on this for a long time. Now we have further intensified our efforts because it has become evident, as everyone can see, that there is a real threat of ethnic cleansing and genocide against the Armenian population of Artsakh. This is even openly manifested in the rhetoric of Azerbaijani high-ranking officials,” said Mirzoyan.

The Foreign Minister emphasized that in this direction, the international community, particularly the UN, has responsibilities.