Current:Home > InvestArmenia and Azerbaijan exchange POWs in line with agreement announced last week-InfoLens
Armenia and Azerbaijan exchange POWs in line with agreement announced last week
View Date:2024-12-23 16:06:55
YEREVAN, Armenia (AP) — Armenia and Azerbaijan on Wednesday exchanged prisoners of war, in line with an agreement announced last week that also promised the two countries would work towards a peace treaty and was hailed by the European Union as a major step toward peace in the tumultuous region.
Azerbaijan brought back two servicemen, while 32 soldiers returned to Armenia, officials in both countries reported.
Azerbaijan waged a lightning military campaign in September in the separatist region of Nagorno-Karabakh. The offensive ended three decades of rule there by ethnic Armenians and resulted in the vast majority of the 120,000 residents fleeing the region, which is internationally recognized as part of Azerbaijan.
In their joint statement last week, the two countries said they “share the view that there is a historical chance to achieve a long-awaited peace.” They said they intend “to normalize relations and to reach the peace treaty on the basis of respect for the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity.”
They also promised to continue discussions “regarding the implementation of more confidence building measures” and called on the international community for support “that will contribute to building mutual trust between two countries.”
The joint statement came after the two countries spent months bitterly arguing on the outline of a peace process amid mutual distrust.
As part of the deal, Armenia also agreed to lift its objections to Azerbaijan hosting next year’s international conference on climate change.
European Council President Charles Michel praised the agreement as a major breakthrough, saying on X that he particularly welcomes the deal to release detainees and make an “unprecedented opening in political dialogue.”
Michel called on Armenia and Azerbaijan to finalize a peace deal as soon as possible.
veryGood! (94261)
Related
- Queen Elizabeth II's Final 5-Word Diary Entry Revealed
- Dozens killed in Japan earthquakes as temblors continue rocking country's west
- Novak Djokovic stuns United Cup teammates by answering questions in Chinese
- Pilot accused of threatening to shoot airline captain mid-flight to make first court appearance
- Man charged with murder in fatal shooting of 2 workers at Chicago’s Navy Pier
- The 'witching hour' has arrived: How NFL RedZone sparked a sensation among fans
- Report: Data from 2022 California traffic stops shows ‘pervasive pattern’ of racial profiling
- From Amazon to Facebook and Google, here's how platforms can 'decay'
- Massive dust storm reduces visibility, causes vehicle pileup on central California highway
- Flood recovery, public safety, opioid crisis and housing are Vermont Legislature’s top priorities
Ranking
- Guns smuggled from the US are blamed for a surge in killings on more Caribbean islands
- Like it or not, Peanut Butter and Bacon Cheeseburger debuts this month at Sonic for limited time
- See the Best Fashion Looks to Ever Hit the Golden Globes Red Carpet
- Fox News host Sean Hannity says he moved to 'the free state of Florida' from New York
- Federal judge orders Oakland airport to stop using ‘San Francisco’ in name amid lawsuit
- South Carolina Senate to get 6th woman as former Columbia city council member wins special election
- The 'Golden Bachelor' wedding is here: A look at Gerry and Theresa's second-chance romance
- 'Golden Bachelor' runner-up Leslie Fhima spent birthday in hospital for unexpected surgery
Recommendation
-
Fate of Netflix Series America’s Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders Revealed
-
Hearing aids may boost longevity, study finds. But only if used regularly
-
Jillian Michaels 'would love to leave weight loss drugs behind' in 2024. Here's why.
-
Ex-celebrity lawyer Tom Girardi found competent to stand trial for alleged $15 million client thefts
-
Todd Golden to continue as Florida basketball coach despite sexual harassment probe
-
Trump, potential VP pick and former actress swarm Iowa ahead of caucuses
-
Restaurateur Rose Previte shares recipes she learned from women around the world
-
Vanderpump Rules Star Shocked to Find Out They're Related to Gypsy Rose Blanchard