Hungary Ready to Play Mediation Role for Safe Return of Armenian Soldiers from Azerbaijan

Hungary is prepared to play a mediation role to facilitate the safe return of Armenian soldiers held in Azerbaijan. In addition, it has allocated 102,000 euros to the Armenian Red Cross to support those displaced from Nagorno-Karabakh due to Azerbaijan's recent large-scale military operations, including those affected by a fuel storage explosion.

Anna Maria Sikon, Hungary's ambassador to Armenia (with residence in Tbilisi), provided this information in response to questions from Armenpress. Addressing the issue of Azerbaijan's recent military actions and the subsequent forced displacements of Armenians from Nagorno-Karabakh, the ambassador emphasized that Hungary maintains a clear and firm stance on all armed conflicts, which has been expressed multiple times.

“Disputes should be resolved through diplomatic means at the negotiating table. The only sustainable solution can be peace,” the ambassador stated, adding that this is also true for the Caucasus region. Hungary hopes that wars and human suffering will soon be replaced by peaceful coexistence.

The ambassador assured that Hungary fully understands the seriousness of the situation; hence, she arrived in Yerevan a few days ago to meet with Armenian political and spiritual leaders to discuss the possibility of sending humanitarian aid.

“As a result of negotiations, an agreement was reached whereby Hungary donated 102,000 euros to the Armenian Red Cross through the ‘Hungary Helps’ program to support humanitarian initiatives. The aim of Hungarian assistance is to contribute to stability in the region by helping civilians affected by the conflict and the fuel storage explosion,” Anna Maria Sikon stated.

Hungary is glad to provide immediate assistance in these dire circumstances and will exert every effort to continue doing so. Regarding Hungary's position on the violations of Armenia's territorial integrity by Azerbaijan since May 2021, the diplomat reassured that based on international law, Hungary remains committed to the principle of the inviolability of the territorial integrity of sovereign states. They have clarified their position on numerous occasions in this regard.

Hungary desires an end to human suffering, so that every individual can have the opportunity to live in peace. The ambassador assures that Hungary has always supported initiatives aimed at this goal and will continue to do so. As for the Armenian prisoners still unlawfully held in Azerbaijan, the ambassador assures, “Hungary is ready to once again play a mediating role to facilitate the safe return of Armenian soldiers to their homeland.” In December 2021, five Armenian soldiers unlawfully held in Azerbaijan were returned home through the mediation of the Hungarian government.