Azerbaijani, Iraqi FMs discuss landmine clearance in Karabakh

Azerbaijan’s Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov has briefed his Iraqi counterpart Fuad Hussein on efforts to clear landmines in the Karabakh region and ongoing steps towards normalising ties with Armenia.

Speaking at a joint press conference during his official visit to Iraq on May 7, Bayramov said the issue of mine contamination remains a major obstacle to the return of displaced Azerbaijanis to their homes, Caliber.Az reports per local media. 

"I informed Mr Hussein about the post-conflict situation in the region following the restoration of Azerbaijan's territorial integrity and sovereignty, particularly the large-scale effort to return hundreds of thousands of former internally displaced persons to their native lands," Bayramov said.

He noted that landmine clearance is a critical component of the post-war reconstruction process in areas retaken by Baku.

The ministers also discussed broader regional developments, including the state of Armenian-Azerbaijani relations. Bayramov said the two countries have made progress in negotiating a peace treaty, but key issues remain unresolved.

"One of the outstanding matters is the presence of territorial claims against Azerbaijan in Armenia’s constitution," he added.

Notably, the Azerbaijani Foreign Minister met with his Iraqi counterpart to discuss strengthening bilateral relations, with a focus on economic cooperation and regional security.

During Bayramov’s official visit to Baghdad, the two ministers held one-on-one and expanded talks, highlighting opportunities in trade, energy, transport, education, and tourism. They emphasised the importance of political consultations, high-level visits, and institutional mechanisms such as the Azerbaijani-Iraqi Intergovernmental Commission and Business Council.

Regional security topped the agenda, including developments in the Middle East, tensions in South Asia, and the post-conflict landscape in the South Caucasus.

The ministers also reaffirmed their commitment to collaboration within international organisations such as the UN, OIC, NAM, and CICA.

In the education sector, both sides hailed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between ADA University and Iraq’s Foreign Service Institute as a milestone, and discussed broader academic cooperation, including the Heydar Aliyev International Education Grant.

Following the talks, the ministers issued joint statements to the media, reaffirming their shared commitment to deepening ties.

By Aghakazim Guliyev