EU Enlargement Commissioner reviews extensive demining operations in Azerbaijan’s Aghdam PHOTO / UPDATED

As part of her ongoing mission in Azerbaijan, European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos conducted an on-site visit to Aghdam to assess the significant progress in demining efforts and regional reconstruction.

The Commissioner was briefed by Emin Huseynov, the special representative of the President of Azerbaijan, on the broad spectrum of development and reconstruction projects currently underway across the Aghdam, Fuzuli, and Khojavand districts, Caliber.Az reports via local media.

During her visit, Kos observed the demining activities in the village of Sarijali, Aghdam district. She received detailed information on the extensive mine contamination left by Armenian forces and the ongoing operations to neutralize these threats. Since November 2020 through September 17, 2025, demining teams have cleared a vast area of approximately 227,713 hectares across Karabakh and East Zangezur, removing explosive remnants of war that posed significant risks to civilians and infrastructure.

Throughout this period, a staggering total of 209,168 mines and unexploded ordnance (UXO) have been identified and safely neutralized. These include 38,600 anti-personnel mines, 22,192 anti-tank mines, and 148,376 pieces of unexploded ordnance. The clearance efforts have employed a combination of meticulous manual demining, the use of specialized mechanical machinery, and the deployment of trained mine-detection dogs, highlighting a comprehensive and multi-faceted approach.

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European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos has arrived in Baku with the aim to familiarise herself with ongoing demining work in the Aghdam district.

During her visit, Kos will receive briefings on restoration and construction projects being carried out in Azerbaijan’s territories that were recently liberated, Caliber.Az reports, citing local media.

The visit comes at a decisive stage in the peace process between Armenia and Azerbaijan, offering an opportunity to highlight the European Union’s agenda on interregional relations and its concrete contribution to regional development.

In addition to observing demining operations, Commissioner Kos is scheduled to hold high-level meetings to discuss shared strategic interests, including energy, transport, and mine action initiatives.

By Tamilla Hasanova