Deputy Foreign Minister of Armenia Robert Abisoghomonyan participated in the High-level side event on “Missing Persons in Armed Conflict: Advancing the Search for Answers”

On September 24, in New York, on the sidelines of the 80th Session of the UNGA, Deputy Foreign Minister of Armenia Robert Abisoghomonyan participated and delivered remarks at the High-level side event on "Missing Persons in Armed Conflict: Advancing the Search for Answers".

In his remarks, Robert Abisoghomonyan stressed that the issue of missing persons is a profound humanitarian crisis that affects countless families, leaving them in a state of uncertainty and distress. The Deputy Foreign Minister emphasized that the right of the families to know the fate of their loved ones is fundamental and it must be addressed with utmost urgency and compassion, adding that political considerations must not overshadow the humanitarian dimensions of the issue.

The Deputy Foreign Minister briefed the participants on the current cooperation with international partners in addressing the issue of missing persons, as well as the prospects for its enhancement. In this context, the exchange of expertise and information with specialized institutions was emphasized as an essential means of advancing the search and identification of missing individuals.

The provisions on addressing the issue of missing persons and enforced disappearances that are incorporated in the Agreement on the Establishment of Peace and Inter-State Relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan were touched upon. It was highlighted the importance of acknowledging shared responsibility to investigate the fate of those missing, search for their remains and ensure that justice is served, while emphasizing the importance of a cooperative approach in addressing these concerns.

The Deputy Foreign Minister Robert Abisoghomonyan underscored the utmost urgency of the issue and noted that prioritizing the addressing of humanitarian concerns can forge a pathway towards reconciliation, justice and the establishment of lasting peace in the region.