EU pledges continued support for Azerbaijan's mine clearance efforts

Duhot Hubert, Deputy Head of the Division of the European Commission's Directorate General for Enlargement and Neighbourhood Policy, reaffirmed the European Union's commitment to actively support Azerbaijan's demining activities.

Report notes that speaking at the III International Mine Action Conference on "Reducing the Environmental Impact of Mines - Mobilising Resources for a Safe and Green Future", Hubert emphasized the EU's prioritization of mine action in Azerbaijan. 

"Mine action is an EU priority in this country and we also witnessed this yesterday in Zangilan. In addition, there is a call for international support and cooperation with international donors. In this context, we are very proud that the European Union, together with its member states, remains the main international donor in the field of mine action," he said.

Hubert said the launch of the Team Europe mine action initiative in early May demonstrates the EU's commitment to help Azerbaijan.

"Team Europe has served as a platform for increased EU support. Demining is at the centre of the socio-economic agenda of Azerbaijan and the region. We see demining activities as the first phase of a long-term process in which we also support the economic recovery and environmental transformation of the affected region," he said.

Hubert added that participants at yesterday's conference in Zangilan were impressed by the speed of the reconstruction work.