The President of France Emmanuel Macron referred to the return of 8 Armenian prisoners of war from Azerbaijan, thanking the French diplomats and military involved in the case. First in French on Twitter, then in Armenian on Facebook, Macron wrote: “Eight Armenian detainees were released by Azerbaijan and transferred from Baku to Yerevan. They are reunited with their families, from whom they had been separated for several months. I thank our diplomats as well as our soldiers mobilized in this operation. We are going forward.”
The return of the group of Armenian prisoners of war was also positively assessed by the President of the European Council Charles Michel.
"The release by Azerbaijan and reparation to Armenia of 8 Armenian detainees is another sign of positive developments following the meeting with Emmanuel Macron, Azerbaijani President, Nikol Pashinyan. The EU supports stability and prosperity in the region.”
On February 4, the leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan had an online video meeting with the participation of the President of France and the President of the European Council. EU Special Representative for the South Caucasus and the Crisis in Georgia Toivo Klaar also welcomed the return of prisoners of war, calling it a gesture following the quadrilateral meeting.
"Welcome the release of Armenian detainees by Azerbaijan. An important humanitarian gesture following the quadrilateral meeting last Friday between Ilham Aliyev, Nikol Pashinyan, Emmanuel Macron and Charles Michel."
Former French Ambassador to Armenia Jonathan Lacotte posted a video of the Lurer returning the prisoners on his Facebook page, saying he was proud to see the plane landing, returning the eight prisoners of war to their families.
Referring to the remaining prisoners of war, Lacotte noted that the efforts of France to return them continue at the highest level.
