Deputy FM raises Azerbaijan's mine problem at international conference in Zagreb

Azerbaijani Deputy Foreign Minister Fariz Rzayev, who was on a visit to Croatia on October 11-13, informed the participants in detail about the mine problem and its dire consequences that the country is facing.

As part of the visit, Fariz Rzayev took part in the international donor conference on humanitarian demining in Ukraine, held in Zagreb, the Azerbaijani Ministry of Foreign Affairs told Caliber.Az.

Rzayev held bilateral meetings with Advisor to the Prime Minister of Croatia on International Affairs Dino Mihanovic, Deputy Chairman of Parliament Davorko Vidovic, and Deputy Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Frano Matusic.

At the meetings, relations between Azerbaijan and Croatia, the current state and prospects for cooperation in the political, economic, energy and humanitarian spheres, including within the framework of international organizations, strategic energy and transport projects implemented on the initiative of our country, as well as regional security and post-conflict situation.

During the visit, a meeting was also held with experts and representatives of Croatian think tanks, at which information was presented on the foreign policy priorities of Azerbaijan, Croatian-Azerbaijani relations, the situation in the region, restoration and construction work in the liberated territories, and reintegration measures.

For nearly 30 years of occupation of Azerbaijani lands, Armenia destroyed entire towns and villages with all infrastructure and planted land and anti-tank mines across the vast area of land to kill and maim both Azerbaijani civilians and military.

Since the 44-day war in 2020, a total of over 300 people have become victims of landmines in the liberated territories of Azerbaijan. Over 60 of them were killed, while others received injuries of varying degrees of severity. Among the injured, nine are children and young people and two women. Since 1991, the total number of victims of mines planted by Armenia is believed to be 3,400 people.