Azerbaijani FM briefs PACE co-rapporteurs on mine threat in country PHOTO

Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov informed co-rapporteurs of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) Monitoring Committee Ian Liddell-Grainger and Liz Christophersen about the ongoing mine threat in the country.

The sides discussed cooperation between Azerbaijan and PACE, its prospects, the situation in the region and its possible contribution to the normalization of relations between Azerbaijan and Armenia, Caliber.Az reports, citing the Foreign Ministry.

Bayramov, speaking of the situation in the region in the post-conflict period, large-scale restoration and construction projects by Azerbaijan, noted that despite provocations of Armenia and its efforts to slow down the process, Azerbaijan is taking important steps to ensure peace and stability in the region, signing a peace agreement, unblocking communications, etc.

At the meeting, the parties touched upon the continuing mine threat in the liberated territories and Armenia's avoidance of the obligations arising from the Trilateral Statement of November 10.

The co-rapporteurs of the PACE Monitoring Committee said that within the framework of their visit to the country they visited the Agdam region where they got acquainted with the large-scale restoration works carried out by Azerbaijan. They stressed the importance of ensuring peace and security in the region.

The sides exchanged views on international and regional issues of mutual interest during the meeting.

After achieving victory over Armenia in the Patriotic War in early November 2020, Azerbaijan launched the process of demining the territories that Armenia had been holding under occupation for almost three decades.

Despite extensive efforts, demining operations faced many challenges due to Armenia’s refusal to hand over maps displaying the locations of the landmines.

Azerbaijan obtained minefield maps of the once-occupied Aghdam, Fuzuli, and Zangilan districts from Armenia, which reportedly identify the coordinates of 189,000 anti-tank and anti-personnel mines. Armenia also provided the Azerbaijani side with mine maps of other liberated territories of Azerbaijan. In exchange for maps, Azerbaijan released dozens of Armenian saboteurs detained in Azerbaijani territory after the war. However, Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev said the accuracy of these maps did not exceed 25 per cent.

AMAMA reported that the maps provided by Armenia were just 2 per cent effective in mine action. According to the Azerbaijani government data, international experts estimate that Azerbaijan needs nearly 30 years and $25 billion to solve issues related to demining.