Italy Calls for Release of Armenians Held in Baku

Thirty-eight Italian parliamentarians have issued a call for the release of Armenian prisoners of war ahead of the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP29) to be held in Baku.

As reported by the ANSA agency, the statement mentions: "Considering that from November 11 to 22, 2024, Azerbaijan will host COP29, the United Nations Climate Change Conference, and noting that Italy has very good trade and political relations with Baku, as well as effective cooperation in the energy sector, which Italy considers Azerbaijan as one of its primary European partners.

Also, considering that it is in Italy's interests to establish stability and peace in the South Caucasus region, thus promoting all actions that contribute to building trust between Armenia and Azerbaijan and encouraging the signing of a final peace agreement, it is acknowledged that after the recent conflicts, 23 Armenian prisoners of war and other detainees are still held in Baku for various reasons, and their families have long been waiting for their return home.

Considering that their release would send a positive signal for relations between the two countries and would further positively impact the whole region and COP29 itself, the undersigned members and senators of the Italian Republic call on the government: to urge their Azerbaijani counterparts to release all Armenian prisoners of war and other detainees as a gesture of goodwill and in recognition of friendship with Italy during the COP29 event; to ensure, if necessary, their return home at the Italian government's expense; and to convey Italy's commitment to contribute to the establishment of lasting peace in the region to both Armenia and Azerbaijan."