Russian Foreign Ministry on Sending UN Assessment Mission to Nagorno-Karabakh, Prisoners of War, OSCE MG

Moscow/29.01.21/Turan: As a stabilization of the situation in the region of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict has been achieved, the tasks of comprehensive humanitarian assistance to the needy and victims come to the fore, said the representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry Maria Zakharova at a briefing on January 28.

Russia considers it useful to involve specialized international structures, including specialized UN agencies, in the process. At present, the sending of a comprehensive assessment mission to Nagorno-Karabakh is being coordinated with the Azerbaijani and Armenian sides, she said.

With the assistance of Russian specialists and peacekeepers, more than 51,400 refugees have returned to their places of permanent residence since November 14, 2020, the transfer to the Armenian and Azerbaijani sides of 1,532 bodies of the dead took place, about 750 hectares of terrain and more than 230 km of roads have been cleared, almost 24 thousand explosive objects have been neutralized, the power supply system has been completely restored, and about 1,300 residents received medical care, she added.

When asked about the state of affairs in the exchange of prisoners, Zakharova said that Russia is providing assistance in these matters through its peacekeeping contingent in Nagorno-Karabakh. The best solution to this problem would be the exchange of prisoners according to the formula “all for all,” she said.

At what stage is the process of giving the humanitarian center in Karabakh international status? To this question

Zakharova said that everything related to the provision of humanitarian assistance to the residents of Nagorno-Karabakh and adjacent regions is under the jurisdiction of the Russian Emergencies Ministry. Russian departments are working in close contact with the Armenian and Azerbaijani sides, including on the activities of the International Center for Humanitarian Response, she said.

Zakharova also said that the OSCE MG is preparing for a trip to the region. The agenda and terms of the trip are agreed with the parties. As of today, the date of such a visit has not been determined, Zakharova said.    -02D-