On October 9, Chairman of the State Committee for Refugees and Internally Displaced Persons Rovshan Rzayev met with UN Resident Coordinator in Azerbaijan Gulam Ishaqzai. Addressing of humanitarian issues in the territories liberated from occupation and opportunities for mutual cooperation in this area were discussed in the meeting.

The Chairman of the State Committee informed about the state policy pursued regarding IDPs. He said that the President Ilham Aliyev identified the addressing of the problems of refugees and IDPs as one of the priorities of social policy, particular attention is paid to improving their living conditions and increasing employment. The First Vice President Mrs. Mehriban Aliyeva treats with care and sensitivity to resolving all issues related to this category of citizens.

It was noted that the Azerbaijani Army launched a counter-offensive operation to put an end to the increasingly intensive provocations of the aggressor Armenian armed forces which endanger the lives of civilians. There are casualties among civilians, including IDPs as a result of targeting civilians. It was stated that the residential complex built for IDPs in Shikharkh settlement of Tartar, which was visited by the heads of UN agencies operating in Azerbaijan last year, as well as those in Aghdam, Fuzuli and Goranboy regions was fired at with heavy weapons, the buildings are severely damaged, there are casualties among the residents.        

The Chairman of the State Committee said that the aggressor Armenia does not comply with the norms and principles of international law, including its obligations under international humanitarian law, and does not fulfill the requirements of UN Security Council resolutions on the immediate, complete and unconditional withdrawal of Armenian troops from the occupied territories of Azerbaijan.

G.Ishaqzai expressed his concern over the escalation of tension in the frontline and presented his condolences regarding the military and civilian martyrs. He expressed confidence that the close and fruitful relations between the UN and the State Committee will continue to further develop. He took an interest in the situation of civilians affected by the conflict. Ishaqzai said that in current situation, he was ready to provide targeted support in various directions jointly with the UN agencies.

UNDP Resident Representative in Azerbaijan Alessandro Fracasetti, who attended the meeting, underlined that in addition to helping people affected by the war, they can support post-conflict reconstruction like other UN agencies.

The importance of the projects and humanitarian assistance measures implemented by UN agencies in Azerbaijan since 1992 regarding IDPs was noted. Confidence was expressed that cooperation with UN agencies will continue in the course of IDPs` return after liberation of the occupied territories of Azerbaijan.

Other issues of mutual interest were discussed in the meeting.