European Union is interested in development of comprehensive relations with Azerbaijan.

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Çap et 1248

Mətbuat xidmətinin məlumatı 29 JUNE, 2009

On 22nd of June the deputy Prime minister- Chairman of state refugee committee, Chairman of State Committee on International Humanitarian Assistance Mr. Ali Hasanov received working group delegation of European Union (EU) Council on Eastern Europe and Central Asia visiting our country with the purpose to conduct discussions and prepare report on European Neighborhood Policy, Eastern Intercession, energy security, regional security Armenia-Azerbaijan, Nagorno Karabakh conflict and other issues. The deputy Prime minister- Mr. Ali Hasanov conducting discussions with the working group consisting of representatives from different European countries, expressed his gratitude to the guests for visiting Azerbaijan to learn the number one problem in place and to see the realities as they are, and provided comprehensive information on historical root of the conflict, reasons for its emergence, the problem of over one million refugees and internally displaced persons who were forced to escape their native homes as a result of Armenian invader policy, living in unbearably hard condition during long years, and actions taken by Azerbaijani government for provision of their social security. There was especially emphasized during the meeting that so far European Union provided humanitarian, technical and food assistance to Azerbaijan in amount of 400 million euro. In November 2006 the action plan between European Union and Azerbaijan on European Neighborhood Policy was approved and this plan reflects series of issues related to refugee and IDP problems. The Humanitarian Assistance Department (ECO) established under the European Union came to assist Azerbaijan after one year of starting the operations, during 1993-2000 through 18 humanitarian organizations on more than 25 most needed programs for refugees and IDPs in Azerbaijan, conducting broad activities mainly on food, healthcare, sanitation and asylum construction spheres. Thus 16 settlements consisting of 200 pre-fabricated houses (for 400 families) were established, until may 2001 the 34 thousand refugee and IDP population in 7 refugee camps in Belasuvar, Saatli, Sabirabad territories were regularly provided with food assistance through UN World Food Program, International Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. Along with all these there was mentioned with regret that due to distractive stand point of Armenia, dual attitude of international organizations involved in the resolution of the conflict, and even aggressor country’s neglect of the relevant resolutions of such respected organization like UN creates danger not only for Azerbaijan also for entire region, and all the international organizations and world public are aware of that, however unfortunately there are no concrete results so far. And as a result of this over one million refugees and İDPs, whose rights are violated, and who are missing the native home and native motherland are suffering. The guests informed about European Union supporting the integrity of Azerbaijani territories, importance of continuing the negotiations by the government on resolution of the conflict, also importance of Azerbaijan’s stand point for EU, they mentioned that the organization they are representing is interested in development of close relations with our country thus valuing Azerbaijan as an important country for EU. During the meeting the matters that cause mutual interest were cleared and questions that interested the guests were comprehensively answered. 10 minutes short movie called “Home-sickness… unsuppressed hopes” was also demonstrated to the guests at the meeting.