Georgia Facilitates the Peace Process between Armenia and Azerbaijan

US Secretary of State Commends Prime Minister Garibashvili and Georgian Government’s “Essential Role” 

Georgia Facilitates the Peace Process between Armenia and Azerbaijan
US Secretary of State Commends Prime Minister Garibashvili and Georgian Government’s “Essential Role”

The Prime Minister of Georgia Irakli Garibashvili, in partnership with the U.S. Acting Assistant Secretary for European and Eurasian Affairs Philip Reeker, negotiated the release of 15 Armenian citizens held by Azerbaijan who were captured during the military clash between Armenia and Azerbaijan in the fall of 2020. The return of the Armenians was accomplished through the release of the Armenians into Georgia and subsequently reunited them with their families.

Part of the negotiation included Armenian authorities providing Azerbaijan with vital materials that revealed the locations of concealed landmines placed in the conflict zone.

The Prime Minister of Georgia personally maintained constant communication with Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev and acting Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan. Mr. Garibashvili welcomed the decision of our neighbor countries to reach this agreement — a step poised to set the stage for mitigating tensions and putting in place an atmosphere of cooperation in our region.

As a result of the efforts of Georgia and our strategic partner the United States, an extraordinary step has been taken toward bettering the security architecture of the South Caucasus.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken commended the parties: “The United States welcomes the release by Azerbaijan of 15 Armenian detainees and their return to their families in Armenia. We also welcome Armenia’s decision to provide Azerbaijan with important information that will facilitate humanitarian demining and avoid future casualties. We are grateful to Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili and the Government of Georgia for the essential role Georgia played in facilitating these steps, which bring the people of the region closer to the peaceful and prosperous future they deserve.”

Georgia attaches a great importance to creating an atmosphere of peace, stability, and cooperation in the region. Georgia has proposed the formation of a trilateral process of cooperation that envisages a dialogue platform for Azerbaijan and Armenia an engagement format that would serve as a substitute and an additional support to the international community in rebuilding the trust and reconnecting the neighboring states. This day will be an important example and a step forward on the way to resolving hard issues between neighbors. Georgia always stands ready to support partners now and in the future, and to actively engage all parties to seek peace, provide stability and address humanitarian issues.