Azerbaijan, Cambodia strengthen collaboration on mine threat mitigation

Azerbaijan and Cambodia are set to enhance their cooperation in addressing the mine threat. This commitment was underscored during a recent visit by a delegation from Azerbaijan's Mine Action Agency (ANAMA) to Cambodia.

Led by ANAMA Board Chairman Vugar Suleymanov, the Azerbaijani delegation engaged in discussions with the Mine Victims Assistance Organization and the Cambodian Mine Action Centre, ANAMA told Caliber.Az.

The meetings focused on sharing expertise in mine threat management, exploring further cooperation opportunities, and discussing demining methodologies.

During their visit, the ANAMA team travelled to Siem Reap, one of Cambodia's most heavily mined provinces. There, they observed demining operations firsthand, including the work of deminers, mine detection dogs, and the equipment employed in the field.

Following Azerbaijan’s victory in the Second Karabakh War in November 2020, the country embarked on an extensive demining campaign in territories previously occupied by Armenia for nearly three decades. Despite significant efforts, these operations have been hindered by Armenia’s reluctance to provide accurate minefield maps.

Azerbaijan has received minefield maps for the formerly occupied districts of Aghdam, Fuzuli, and Zangilan, which reportedly indicate the locations of 189,000 anti-tank and anti-personnel mines. Additional maps for other liberated areas were also provided by Armenia in exchange for the release of Armenian saboteurs detained after the war. However, President Ilham Aliyev has criticized the accuracy of these maps, noting their reliability at only 25 per cent.

According to ANAMA, the effectiveness of the maps provided by Armenia was just two per cent in practical demining efforts. International experts estimate that Azerbaijan will require nearly 30 years and $25 billion to fully address the demining challenges.