The Red Cross has increased funding for its mission in Karabakh fivefold

In an interview with the Moscow newspaper Izvestia, the President of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), Peter Maurer stated that this year the Red Cross has increased the funding of its mission in Nagorno-Karabakh fivefold to $ 50 million.

Besides, the ICRC is minded to assist in the exchange of prisoners of war between Baku and Yerevan; however, the dispute over the status of the detained persons should be resolved by Azerbaijan and Armenia themselves.

"At the moment, our budget is up 4 or 5 times from 27 years before. Previously, our budget was about $10-11 million. And now we are approaching $50 million and have significantly increased our presence in the region. We help displaced people; those coming back. Of no less importance is the work due to visiting prisoners from both sides and participating in restoring ties with their families," he said.

Asked about any progress in exchanging prisoners of war, Maurer said that "progress has been made, prisoners are returning home, however, there are still disputes about some detainees, if they are considered prisoners of war, what their status is and if they can return."

Does the Red Cross visit detainees, those called saboteurs in Azerbaijan? To this question Maurer replied as follows: "Yes, the Red Cross has direct access to the detainees. The Azerbaijani government informed us that there were disagreements with the Armenian side about the status of (the detainees). Baku and Yerevan should settle this problem themselves. We can share our experience and advise something; however, the relevant governments should determine and make the final assessment of the status themselves."

The head of the ICRC refused to answer a question about conditions that Armenians are held in Azerbaijan. "We provide no public assessment of this. We visit to assess conditions of detainess' welfare; however, but, as you know, this is a confidential process for the ICRC. We are working with all the authorities in the region to bring our comments to notice of relevant authorities, and so far I can't say more."