ArmInfo.Georgia assumed the role of mediator between Azerbaijan and Armenia in the exchange of 15 Armenian prisoners of war for maps of the minefields of Aghdam region. This was stated by the Prime Minister of Georgia Irakli Garibashvili. The Georgian Prime Minister noted that he continues active negotiations with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and acting Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan.
Garibashvili also stressed that Georgia will continue mediation efforts between the countries. "We are ready to continue mediation, I said this personally to the leaders of both countries. I hope that this process will end with the provision of peace and stability in the region. Our common goal should be peace, stability and development in the region. This will become the basis for the implementation of important and long- term projects. ", Garibashvili said, according to media reports.
On June 12, the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry announced the transfer of 15 prisoners of war to Armenia in exchange for maps of the minefields of Aghdam.
This step of the parties was welcomed by the Russian Foreign Ministry, the US State Department, the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, and the Head of the European Parliament.
A statement was made by Josep Borrell, High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, who stressed that the EU welcomes the release of 15 held Armenians through Georgia by the Azerbaijani side and the provision of minefield maps by Armenia. At the same time, he expressed hope that this important humanitarian gesture and a gesture of confidence made by Baku and Yerevan will pave the way for further cooperation, the release of other held Armenians and, in order to avoid further losses among the civilian population, maps of all minefields will be transferred to Azerbaijan. "The European Union and other international actors have stepped up their activities in this direction, and we call on the parties to cooperate. We once again appeal to Armenia and Azerbaijan with an appeal to again participate in substantive negotiations under the auspices of the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs," he concluded.