No: 298/26 Press Release on the Meeting of Minister Jeyhun Bayramov with Director-General of the International Commission on Missing Persons Kathryne Bomberger
30 June 2026 17:59
On 30 June, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan Jeyhun Bayramov met with Director-General of the International Commission on Missing Persons (ICMP) Kathryne Bomberger, who is on a visit to our country.
At the meeting, the agenda of cooperation between Azerbaijan and the ICMP, the activities being carried out towards determining the fate of missing persons in the post-conflict period, as well as the importance of international cooperation in this field, were discussed.
Drawing attention to the fact that the fate of nearly 4,000 Azerbaijanis remains unknown to this day as a result of Armenia's military aggression, Minister Jeyhun Bayramov emphasized that the issue of missing persons is one of Azerbaijan's priority humanitarian directions. In this regard, it was noted that the full disclosure by Armenia of existing information on the locations of mass graves, burial facts and minefield maps is of great importance in terms of determining the fate of missing persons.
Emphasizing that the provision on the issue of missing persons is of particular importance in the draft Agreement on the Establishment of Peace and Interstate Relations between Azerbaijan and Armenia, the sides noted the importance of practical steps in this direction towards building trust and eliminating humanitarian consequences.
At the meeting, the beneficial partnership formed between the State Commission on Prisoners of War, Missing Persons and Hostages and the International Commission on Missing Persons was highly appreciated, and it was emphasized that this cooperation is of great importance in terms of determining the fate of missing persons, strengthening identification capabilities, and applying international experience.
Minister Jeyhun Bayramov drew attention to the fact that, remaining committed to its humanitarian obligations following the 44-day Patriotic War, the Azerbaijani side has carried out large-scale search operations despite the complex security situation and the threat of mines, and has handed over to the other side the remains of more than 2,000 identified Armenian servicemen. This step was assessed as a clear example of Azerbaijan's respect for international humanitarian law and its constructive approach to humanitarian issues.
At the meeting, information was provided on the mass graves discovered in Azerbaijan's liberated territories, the exhumation and identification work being carried out, as well as the measures being implemented by the relevant state agencies.
The sides also exchanged views on regional issues of mutual interest and on the ICMP's areas of activity in other countries.
