Experts discuss humanitarian challenges in Azerbaijan’s liberated territories

A roundtable discussion titled “Humanitarian threats and challenges in the liberated Azerbaijani territories” was held in Sofia, the capital of Bulgaria, co-organized by the Embassy of Azerbaijan in Bulgaria and the Bulgarian Higher School of Security and Economics (VUSI). The event attended by Bulgarian officials, specialists in demining and refugee issues, businesspeople, members of the diplomatic corps, and media representatives took place at the premises of the Bulgarian Telegraph Agency (BTA).

Discussions focused on the current threats and challenges in restoring the liberated territories of Azerbaijan, including the dangers posed by landmines planted by Armenia during the occupation, and discussed the Azerbaijani government's demining and reconstruction efforts.

In his remarks, Huseyn Huseynov, Azerbaijani Ambassador to Bulgaria, briefed the participants about Azerbaijan’s restoration efforts in the liberated territories, the Great Return strategy, underscoring that 1,6 million landmines had been planted by Armenia in the Azerbaijani territories. He stressed the need for international support and assistance in addressing the humanitarian crisis Azerbaijan is facing.

Gaya Mammadov, a member of Azerbaijan’s Milli Majlis (parliament), emphasized that the return of Azerbaijanis displaced as a result of the Armenian occupation is essential for the implementation of international legal norms and the realization of justice. He added that ensuring the rights of Azerbaijanis displaced from Armenia to return and live in their ancestral lands would serve to establish lasting peace in the region.

Ramil Azizov, ANAMA’s head of division, highlighted Azerbaijan’s demining efforts in the liberated territories, as well as the agency’s international collaboration in this field.