France welcomes the release of 15 Armenian prisoners by Azerbaijan in exchange for providing maps of the minefields. According to TASS, this is stated in a statement issued by the French Foreign Ministry released on Monday.itizens, as well as the provision by Armenia of maps of minefields in Fizuli and Zangilan regions,” the ministry said.

In the opinion of France, which is the co-chair of the OSCE Minsk Group, “this exchange, like the previous one, which took place on June 11, was an important step in reducing tension and restoring confidence between the parties.” “France calls for the fulfillment of the obligations assumed by the parties on November 9, 2020, including the restoration of a meaningful dialogue and the release of all held Armenian prisoners,” the ministry said.

“Together with its partners in the Minsk Group, France calls for the continuation of this positive dynamics and reaffirms its readiness to promote long-term peace in the Caucasus,” the Foreign Ministry said.

t should be reminded that on 3 July, the RA government informed:

“Today, on 3 July, 15 Armenian captives captured by Azerbaijan returned to Armenia with the mediation of the Russian side. As a manifestation of goodwill, the Armenian side provided Azerbaijan with maps of minefields in the Fizuli and Zangelan regions.

The names of 15 Armenian captives who returned to the homeland are below.

1. Volodya Vachagan Hakobyan – Shirak region
2. Asatryan Gevorg Norayr – Shirak region
3. Gasparyan Gor Vahram – Shirak region
4. Yengoyan Sisak Grisha – Shirak region
5. Karapetyan Yuri Tigran – Shirak region
6. Mahtesyan Edgar Vachagan – Shirak region
7. Minasyan Aram Garnik – Shirak region
8. Minasyan Mkrtich Simon – Shirak region
9. Petrosyan Albert Kamo – Shirak region
10. Poghosyan Armen Yeghiazar – Shirak region
11. Sedrakyan Romik Misaki – Shirak region
12. Sefilyan Kamo Karen – Shirak region
13. Aslanyan Yeghish Hovhannes – Shirak region
14. Gevorgyan Grigor Georgi – Shirak region
15. Manukyan Andranik Tigran – Shirak region

The Government of the Republic of Armenia thanks the Russian Federation for its mediation role.”