Hovhannes Igityan: The environment in the PACE is focused on issues  of concern to Armenia

ArmInfo.With the exception of representatives of 2-3 countries, everyone in the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) understands that progress  and the formation of a trusting environment between Armenia and  Azerbaijan is not possible without the return of Armenian prisoners  of war. Member of the RA NA delegation to PACE Hovhannes Igityan  stated this at a press conference on June 30.

"I cannot use the expression 'pro-Armenian sentiments', but in  general the environment in PACE is focused on issues of concern to  Armenia," the MP said.

At the same time, Igityan noted that he considers it a big omission  not to use the potential of all Armenians in the issue of returning  Armenian citizens from Azerbaijani captivity. "We should understand  that the return of prisoners of war is not only the problem of their  relatives, Armenia's representation in the PACE, the parliamentary  majority, even the state of Armenia, but it concerns at least all  Armenians, not to mention the entire civilized world," he stressed.

In this context, the parliamentarian noted that pickets should be  organized in front of the embassies of Azerbaijan in any country so  that the Azerbaijani diplomatic corps would feel discomfort. "If the  law of a country allows organizing actions with only one participant,  then let one take part, if they require keeping a distance, keep this  distance. This should be task number 1. Only under this condition  will this issue become a question of the international community,"  the MP convinced. Igityan also noted that PACE has no sanctions  leverage, however, the speeches of speakers from different countries  and the information received here will be transmitted to the  parliaments of the latter countries. At the same time, he said that  during his speech at PACE he raised the issue of the invasion of the  territory of Armenia by the Azerbaijani military, and also drew  parallels with the actions of Turkey in the Mediterranean Sea.

It should be noted that the Azerbaijani authorities, not only in  violation of all agreements, have been holding Armenian prisoners of  war and civilians captured during the last 44-day war for 8 months  already, but have also perpetrated illegal trials over them.

Every day, groups of 13-16 people stand before an Azerbaijani court  on fictional grave charges. Today, 27 Armenian prisoners of war at  once were brought before an Azerbaijani court. To note, these actions  of Baku run counter to the obligations undertaken by Azerbaijan  within the framework of the trilateral statement of November 9, 2020.  According to clause 8 of this document, the exchange of prisoners of  war was to be carried out on the principle of "all for all", but  Azerbaijan is speculating on this issue in every possible way and is  trying to get political dividends.