I heartily congratulate you on the 20th anniversary of the establishment of the State Commission on Prisoners of War, Hostages and Missing Persons, and send you my best wishes!
Over the years of its activity, the State Commission has covered a difficult road of struggle, was always guided by national interests and the interests of the state, and was governed by the principles of humanism of our state. Nationwide leader Heydar Aliyev attached great importance to expanding and enhancing the effectiveness of the State Commission. The Commission, in conjunction with government agencies, civil society and international organizations, has worthily carried out such a high humanitarian mission as the return of individuals taken and held hostage as a result of the Armenian military aggression. The Commission has also followed the fates of the missing persons.
The circulation of the promotional material prepared by the State Commission and its working group about the historical roots, causes and serious consequences of the Armenian-Azerbaijani Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and the ensuing humanitarian catastrophe has played an indispensable part in communicating the truth about the conflict to the international community. The Commission's work in the field of information struggle is highly appreciated.
Cases of deaths, capture and disappearance of soldiers and civilians due to the unconstructive position of Armenia in the peace talks, the unresolved status of the Armenian-Azerbaijani Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, the ongoing state of war and the systematic violations of the ceasefire on the line of contact require the Commission to be more sensitive and responsible in these matters.
I am sure that the State Commission on Prisoners of War, Hostages and Missing Persons will continue to cope with all the tasks it is facing. I congratulate you on the 20th anniversary again and wish you every success in your selfless activity.
Ilham Aliyev
President of the Republic of Azerbaijan
Baku city, 29 January 2013.
