Armenian President Armen Sarkissian has urged United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres to undertake all necessary measures to ensure the immediate release and safe return of Armenian prisoners of war from Azerbaijan.

In a letter sent to the UN chief, the Armenian leader said the year 2020 was specifically challenging for Armenia due to the war unleashed by Azerbaijan against Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) on September 27, with the active support and direct participation of Turkey.

Sarkissian reminded that in a gross violation of human rights and international humanitarian commitments, Azerbaijan currently rejects and hampers the return of civilians and prisoners of war, taken hostage during the war. Those people should have been released under a statement signed immediately after the end of hostilities which stipulated an exchange of POWs and other detained persons according to the principle "all for all", the President added.

"Armenia expects support from international partners in the issue of the quickest return of all the captives," Sarkissian noted.

"I appeal to you and the United Nations to undertake all necessary measures to ensure immediate release and safe return of prisoners of war in conformity with the international humanitarian law."