Ilham Aliyev: Fate of missing persons key to building trust with Armenia

The full restoration of Azerbaijanchr("39")s sovereignty and territorial integrity, coupled with its consistent pursuit of peace, has created a historic opportunity for lasting peace and cooperation in the South Caucasus, President Ilham Aliyev said in an address to participants of the 4th International Conference on Missing Persons in the Baku Dialogue Format on "Strengthening Trust and Developing Effective Mechanisms for Addressing the Issue of Missing Persons."

The head of state noted that the signing of the Joint Declaration between Azerbaijan and Armenia on August 8, 2025, in Washington, in the presence of the President of the United States of America, as well as the initialing of the peace treaty between the two countries, marked crucial steps in this direction.

"Achieving lasting peace requires not only political agreements but also building trust and addressing the humanitarian consequences of the conflict. Establishing the fate of missing persons is an integral part of this process and a moral responsibility we bear toward their families," Aliyev said.