The issue of returning Armenian prisoners held in Baku is included in the priorities of the state budget of Armenia for next year. Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade Ararat Mirzoyan stated this at a joint meeting of permanent parliamentary committees during a discussion of the draft state budget for 2027 on November 5, in response to a question from Suzana Avtisyan, deputy of the opposition bloc of the powerful Armenia.
According to the minister, this issue is reflected in the section of the draft state budget, dedicated to strengthening and institutionalizing peace with Azerbaijan.
"One should look for the subject of captives and the missing in the paragraph on strengthening and institutionalizing peace with Azerbaijan. When we talk about establishing peace, signing an agreement and establishing cooperation, everyone understands that in addition to establishing peace, there will be a long process of reconciliation. It is impossible without a full settlement of the issues of the prisoners, and the humanitarian problems in Mirza.
He also assured that the work on the return of prisoners continues and that this issue does not go unnoticed.
According to the head of the foreign policy department, from time to time they manage to reach certain results, although the estimates in this regard may change.
Ararat Mirzoyan admitted that some see the results achieved as unsatisfactory, while others evaluate them positively, and noted that he understands both positions. At the same time, the minister emphasized that the issue of returning the prisoners is not of a financial nature. And if his decision depended only on money, achieving results would be much easier.