Current:Home > ContactArmenia and Azerbaijan announce deal to exchange POWs and work toward peace treaty-DB Wealth Institute B2 Reviews & Ratings
Armenia and Azerbaijan announce deal to exchange POWs and work toward peace treaty
lotradecoin promotions View Date:2024-12-25 17:19:43
YEREVAN, Armenia (AP) — Armenia and Azerbaijan agreed Thursday to exchange prisoners of war and work toward signing a peace treaty in what the European Union hailed as a major step toward peace in the long-troubled region.
The two countries said in a joint statement they “share the view that there is a historical chance to achieve a long-awaited peace.” They said they intend “to normalize relations and to reach the peace treaty on the basis of respect for the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity.”
Azerbaijan waged a lightning military campaign in September in the separatist region of Nagorno-Karabakh. The offensive ended three decades of rule there by ethnic Armenians and resulted in the vast majority of the 120,000 residents fleeing the region, which is internationally recognized as part of Azerbaijan.
Until Thursday’s announcement, the two countries had bitterly argued on the outline of a peace process amid mutual distrust.
As part of the deal, Armenia agreed to lift its objections to Azerbaijan hosting next year’s international conference on climate change.
Countries had been unable to agree on an eastern European host for the 2024 climate talks, with Russia vetoeing EU countries and Azerbaijan and Armenia nixing each other. A decision on the meeting’s location and presidency is due within the next week.
The joint statement said that “the Republic of Armenia supports the bid of the Republic of Azerbaijan to host the 29th Session of the Conference of Parties (COP29) to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, by withdrawing its own candidacy.”
European Council President Charles Michel praised the agreement as a major breakthrough, saying on X that he particularly welcomes the deal to release detainees and make an “unprecedented opening in political dialogue.”
Michel called on Armenia and Azerbaijan to finalize a peace deal as soon as possible.
Armenia and Azerbaijan said in their statement that talks between Azerbaijan’s presidential administration and the office of Armenia’s prime minister led to an agreement “on taking tangible steps towards building confidence between two countries.”
Azerbaijan said it would release 32 captured Armenian military servicemen, while Armenia will release two Azerbaijani soldiers.
The two countries said they will continue their discussions “regarding the implementation of more confidence building measures” and called on the international community for support “that will contribute to building mutual trust between two countries.”
___
Associated Press writers Aida Sultanova in London and Seth Borenstein in Dubai contributed to this report.
veryGood! (116)
Related
- Collin Gosselin Says He Was Discharged from the Marines Due to Being Institutionalized by Mom Kate
- Liam Payne’s Friend Says He “Never Abandoned” Him After 3 People Are Charged in Connection to Case
- The US election was largely trouble-free, but a flood of misinformation raises future concerns
- San Francisco police asking for help locating 18-year-old woman missing since Halloween
- Wisconsin’s Evers urges federal judge not to make changes at youth prison in wake of counselor death
- Sumitomo Rubber closing western New York tire plant and cutting 1,550 jobs
- Winners and losers of Thursday Night Football: Lamar Jackson leads Ravens to thrilling win
- Mikey Madison wanted to do sex work 'justice' in 'Anora.' An Oscar could be next.
- Ex-YouTube CEO Susan Wojcicki dies a year after stepping down. Who is the current CEO?
- How To Make Your Home Smell Really, Really Good Ahead of the Holidays
Ranking
- Sofía Vergara Responds After Joe Manganiello Says Her Reason for Divorce Is “Not True”
- San Francisco police asking for help locating 18-year-old woman missing since Halloween
- Kristin Cavallari and Ex Mark Estes Reunite at Nashville Bar After Breakup
- Brianna Chickenfry LaPaglia Speaks Out After Detailing Zach Bryan’s Alleged Emotional Abuse
- Police identify suspect in break-in of Trump campaign office in Virginia
- Billie Eilish addresses Donald Trump win: 'Someone who hates women so, so deeply'
- Winners and losers of Thursday Night Football: Lamar Jackson leads Ravens to thrilling win
- Another Florida college taps a former state lawmaker to be its next president
Recommendation
-
Sofía Vergara Responds After Joe Manganiello Says Her Reason for Divorce Is “Not True”
-
Halle Bailey’s Ex DDG Defends Her Over Message About Son Halo Appearing on Livestream
-
Brianna LaPaglia says ex-boyfriend Zach Bryan offered her a $12M NDA after breakup
-
Minnesota man kills two women and two children at separate homes before killing himself, police say
-
NASA Shares Update on Astronauts Stuck Indefinitely in Space
-
Liam Payne's Toxicology Test Results Revealed After His Death
-
Investigation into Liam Payne's death prompts 3 arrests, Argentinian authorities say
-
Don Johnson Reveals Daughter Dakota Johnson's Penis Drawing Prank