Peace must reach the lives and hearts of the families of missing persons, Turkish MP and former Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said at the Fourth International Conference held within the framework of the Baku Dialogue on Missing Persons.

Axar.az reports, citing АPA, that Cavusoglu said peace talks and agreements can bring an end to hostilities, but lasting peace requires reconciliation.

“The South Caucasus has faced conflict, forced displacement and deep humanitarian suffering. Since the late 1980s, and particularly since the early 1990s, Azerbaijan has faced the tragedy of expulsion, forced displacement and missing persons.

The fate of nearly 4,000 Azerbaijani citizens who have been missing since the early 1990s remains a major humanitarian concern today. They include civilians, including women, elderly people, and children. Today, thanks to the leadership of President Ilham Aliyev, the prospect of lasting peace in the South Caucasus looks more realistic than before.

The inclusion of a provision on missing persons in the preliminary peace agreement reached between Azerbaijan and Armenia is an important indicator. This shows that the issue is recognized as part of the broader peace process.

Recognizing this open wound as an integral part of peacebuilding and reconciliation will undoubtedly increase mutual trust between people and create a solid social foundation for lasting peace," Cavusoglu stated.