The Bishop of St Albans received the following written answers on 25th November 2021:
The Lord Bishop of St Albans asked Her Majesty’s Government what representations they have made to the government of Azerbaijan regarding that government’s reported occupation of Armenian territory.
Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park (Con): The UK Government is closely monitoring the situation on the Armenia-Azerbaijan border following an increase in tensions on the border and exchange of fire on 16 November. Through the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe and bilateral engagement in Baku and Yerevan, UK officials continue to urge the Armenian and Azerbaijani authorities to settle all outstanding matters including the peaceful negotiation of their borders, in line with the Minsk Group Principles. The Minister for Europe and Americas has met both the Armenian and Azerbaijani Ambassadors to London in recent weeks to reinforce these messages.
The Lord Bishop of St Albans asked hat representations they have made to the government of Azerbaijan regarding that government’s alleged mistreatment and torture of Armenian prisoners of war.
Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park: During her most recent conversations with the Foreign Ministers of Azerbaijan and Armenia, on 14 June and 6 September respectively, the Minister for Europe and Americans urged both parties to work with the International Committee of the Red Cross to expedite the return of all prisoners of war. The Minister reiterated this message in her recent meetings with the Armenian and Azerbaijani Ambassadors on 4 and 17 November respectively. In addition to the issue of prisoners of war, the Minister highlighted the UK’s concerns over reports of war crimes and urged both Governments to take steps to de-escalate border tensions, undertake independent investigations into all allegations arising from last year’s conflict and settle all outstanding matters solely through peaceful negotiation.
The Church of England in Parliament 
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