EU ambassador praises Azerbaijan’s mine-clearance efforts

EU Ambassador to Azerbaijan Marijana Kujundžić has praised Azerbaijan’s efforts to clear landmines and unexploded ordnance, saying humanitarian demining is essential to rebuilding liberated territories and enabling residents to safely return home.

Speaking at the Fourth International Conference on Mine Action in Baku, Kujundžić said reconstruction could not begin while land remained unsafe, infrastructure was contaminated with explosive remnants and residents lacked confidence that they could return without risking their lives, Caliber.Az reports via local media.

She highlighted the work of Azerbaijan’s Mine Action Agency (ANAMA) and other organisations involved in mine-clearance efforts.

“A settlement can be considered safe when families are able to return without fear, children can go to school without risk, public services can fully resume their operations, and reconstruction is carried out in line with clear standards,” Kujundžić said.

“It is important that communities can look to the future with confidence and rebuild their lives,” she added.

The ambassador said humanitarian demining should be viewed not as a standalone activity but as part of a broader effort to create safe, resilient and inclusive communities.

By Aghakazim Guliyev