On July 17 in The Hague, Armenian Deputy Foreign Minister Robert Abisoghomonyan met with Kathryne Bomberger, Director-General of the International Commission on Missing Persons (ICMP). The meeting focused on strengthening Armenia–ICMP cooperation, particularly in upgrading Armenia’s laboratory infrastructure and technical capabilities related to missing persons.
Deputy Minister Abisoghomonyan also briefed Bomberger on Armenia’s recent peace initiatives and emphasized the importance of signing a peace agreement with Azerbaijan as soon as possible to normalize bilateral relations.
On September 19, 2023, Azerbaijan launched a large-scale attack on Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh), subjecting the region to heavy shelling. One day later, local authorities accepted a Russian-brokered ceasefire deal, agreeing to disarm the local defense forces and dissolve the Artsakh Republic. On September 24, forced displacement of the population began, with over 100,000 people fleeing to Armenia. Reports suggest fewer than 20 Armenians remained in Artsakh. On September 28, Artsakh President Samvel Shahramanyan signed a decree on dissolution, effective January 1, 2024.
