The Armenian detainees and prisoners of war in Azerbaijan are being urged for release by the federal government, following a White House-brokered meeting last week between the two long-time conflicting nations. Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand commended the progress made towards peace through the initialling of a peace agreement and the acknowledgment of each country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. Despite this positive step, concerns remain regarding the release of detainees and prisoners of war, the safe return of Armenian civilians, and the protection of cultural heritage.
Canada reaffirmed its commitment to seeking a negotiated political solution concerning the fate of Nagorno-Karabakh, a region historically inhabited by ethnic Armenians but internationally recognized as part of Azerbaijan. The recent meeting between Armenia’s Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev, facilitated by U.S. President Donald Trump, resulted in a peace agreement focusing on enhancing economic ties and normalizing relations between the two nations.
The agreement, consisting of 17 articles, primarily emphasizes the mutual respect for territorial integrity. Armenian media outlets have highlighted the imprisonment and trials of Armenian prisoners of war within the Azerbaijani justice system, including individuals involved in the conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh in 2020. While Canada’s G7 allies have not directly addressed the detainee and refugee issues, a previous joint statement to the UN Human Rights Council underlined the right of refugees to return to Nagorno-Karabakh.
Officials stress the significance of addressing these unresolved issues to ensure the support of the Armenian population for the agreement. The ongoing conflict in Ukraine-Russia may have diverted attention from the South Caucasus deal among some G7 nations, although it is hoped that European countries are engaging with these concerns in private discussions.
Europe’s ties to the Caucasus region, including the presence of an EU mission in Armenia, underscore the importance of resolving the conflicts in the area. Additionally, Azerbaijan’s role as an energy supplier to the EU, with investments from companies like British gas giant BP, adds complexity to the geopolitical dynamics in the region.
During the Oval Office meeting, President Trump raised the issue of prisoners with the Armenian prime minister, emphasizing the importance of their release. The agreement grants the U.S. exclusive development rights to a strategic transit corridor in Armenia, connecting Azerbaijan to the autonomous exclave of Nakhchivan, bordering Turkey. Despite longstanding claims by Azerbaijan to the corridor, the agreement stipulates its retention by Armenia, with the land leased to the U.S.