State Department: US welcomes Armenia, Azerbaijan leaders’ joint statement

The United States Department of State issued a press statement welcoming the joint statement by the Armenian prime minister's office and the Azerbaijani president's administration, according to which Azerbaijan shall release 32 Armenian servicemen, and Armenia shall release 2 Azerbaijani servicemen.

“The United States welcomes the announcement by Armenia and Azerbaijan of the release of two Azerbaijani and thirty-two Armenian detainees.  This commitment represents an important confidence building measure as the sides work to finalize a peace agreement and normalize relations.  We commend Azerbaijani President Aliyev and Armenian Prime Minister Pashinyan for their joint efforts to lay the groundwork for a more peaceful and prosperous future for the people of the South Caucasus. The United States will continue to strongly support efforts to reach a durable and dignified peace,” reads the press statement released by the US State Department

The joint statement by the Armenian prime minister's office and the Azerbaijani president's administration was made public Thursday evening. And later, the Azerbaijani media publicized as well the names of the Armenian detainees to be released.