Eliminating the mine threat is one of the key conditions for the reconstruction of liberated territories and the safe return of formerly internally displaced persons, political analyst Azer Garayev told Trend. He noted that the 4th International Mine Action Conference themed “Humanitarian Demining for Urban Recovery: Setting Standards of Excellence for Safe Settlements” is of great importance in terms of drawing the international community’s attention to the scale of the landmine problem facing Azerbaijan. This process is directly linked to the reconstruction of cities and villages, the restoration of infrastructure, the resumption of economic activity, and the safe return of people to their homelands.
If an area is unsafe, it is also impossible to establish a sustainable living environment and economic activity there. In this regard, demining is one of the fundamental prerequisites for Azerbaijan’s post-conflict recovery,” the political analyst said. Azer Garaev noted that at the opening of the conference, Hikmet Hajiyev, Assistant to the President of Azerbaijan and Head of the Foreign Policy Department of the Presidential Administration, emphasized in his address to the conference participants that demining is a key prerequisite for creating safe settlements, carrying out reconstruction work, and enabling people to return to their homeland.
The essence of the approach highlighted by the head of state is that until the land is cleared of mines and explosive remnants of war, it is impossible to fully restore cities, villages, and settlements; ensure the safe operation of schools and hospitals; return people to their homeland with dignity; and guarantee sustainable economic activity. Politoloq bildirib ki, Prezident İlham Əliyevin müraciətində təqdim olunan rəqəmlər Azərbaycanın qarşılaşdığı mina probleminin miqyasını daha aydın təsəvvür etməyə imkan verir. This indicates a fairly extensive area.
Given the scale of the recovery efforts underway in Karabakh and Eastern Zangezur, it is clear how much in terms of resources, time, and technical capabilities is required to eliminate the mine threat,” Azer Garayev said. The expert noted that the most serious aspect of the landmine problem is the constant threat it poses to human life. Seventy-three of them were killed, and 364 sustained serious injuries.
Since the beginning of Armenia’s aggression against Azerbaijan, more than 3,500 of our citizens have been affected by landmines. The key point here is that, although the war has ended, the threat it poses to people’s lives persists in the form of landmines. In this sense, landmines are one of the most serious and long-term humanitarian consequences of the conflict,” the political analyst emphasized.
According to Azer Garayev, the inaccurate and incomplete maps of mined areas provided by Armenia further complicate efforts to resolve the issue. He noted that the President’s statement places particular emphasis on the fact that mines and mine traps have been discovered not only at former military positions but also along roads, near residential areas, in cemeteries, on farmland, in forests, along riverbanks, and in other civilian areas. We are talking about a threat that prevents people from living normal lives, moving about freely, engaging in agriculture, returning home, and rebuilding their lives.
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