Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov has met with Kathryne Bomberger, Director-General of the International Commission on Missing Persons (ICMP), who is on a visit to Azerbaijan.

Axar.az reports, citing the Foreign Ministry, that the meeting focused on the cooperation agenda between Azerbaijan and the ICMP, efforts to determine the fate of missing persons in the post-conflict period, and the importance of international cooperation in this field.

Bayramov said that the fate of nearly 4,000 Azerbaijanis remains unknown as a result of Armenia's military aggression, stressing that the issue of missing persons remains one of Azerbaijan's top humanitarian priorities. He emphasized that Armenia's full disclosure of information on the locations of mass graves, burial sites, and minefield maps is crucial for establishing the fate of the missing.

The sides also highlighted the importance of including provisions on missing persons in the draft peace agreement between Azerbaijan and Armenia, stressing that practical steps in this area are essential for building confidence and addressing humanitarian consequences.

The meeting praised the partnership between Azerbaijan's State Commission on Prisoners of War, Hostages and Missing Persons and the ICMP, noting that the cooperation plays an important role in identifying missing persons, strengthening forensic identification capabilities, and applying international best practices.

Bayramov also noted that after the 44-day Patriotic War, Azerbaijan remained committed to its humanitarian obligations by conducting large-scale search operations despite complex security conditions and the threat posed by landmines. He said Azerbaijan had recovered and returned the bodies of more than 2,000 Armenian servicemen to the Armenian side, describing the effort as a clear example of the country's respect for international humanitarian law and its constructive approach to humanitarian issues.

The parties also discussed mass graves discovered in Azerbaijan's liberated territories, ongoing exhumation and identification efforts, measures taken by relevant state institutions, as well as regional issues of mutual interest and the ICMP's activities in other countries.