Chairman of the State Committee for Refugees and IDPs Rovshan Rzayev met with Vladimir Georgiev, Head of the Representative Office of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) in Azerbaijan on January 22.
The Chairman of the State Committee said that Armenian military forces were expelled from the occupied territories as a result of the counter-offensive operation “Iron Fist” carried out by our brave army under the leadership of the President, Triumphant Supreme Commander-in-Chief Ilham Aliyev. The territorial integrity of our country was restored, and favorable conditions were created for former IDPs to return to their native lands using their rights established under international law.
It was stated that unprecedented acts of vandalism had been committed by Armenians in the occupied territories for about 30 years. Historical and religious monuments, mosques, which are the material and cultural heritage of our people, had been destroyed, settlements had been devastated. Armenians, trying to falsify history in this way, aimed to erase the traces of the fact that these areas were the ancient homeland of Azerbaijani people.
Security measures are being taken on the instructions of the President Ilham Aliyev, and work is underway to clear the liberated territories of mines. Reconstruction work has begun, communications, telecommunications and road infrastructure are being restored. In addition, monuments and buildings of historical significance will be restored based on our centuries-old architectural patterns. The revival of our liberated territories will allow former IDPs to return to their homeland with dignity and securely and start a new life.
It was noted that the support of international organizations, which implemented humanitarian projects related to IDPs in the first years of the conflict, is still needed.
The Head of the Representative Office of IOM in Azerbaijan Vladimir Georgiev said that he visited Fuzuli together with the ambassadors of foreign countries and heads of international organizations accredited in Azerbaijan after its liberation from the occupation. He underlined that he had visited the devastated places in different countries, but had never encountered such devastation as in Fuzuli. It was noted that a new method will be applied for reconstruction of underground water supply systems this year within the project “Integrated development of rural areas in IDP settlements through the reconstruction of underground water supply systems in Azerbaijan” with financial support of Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) and it was proposed to continue implementing the project also in the liberated territories. V.Georgiev stated that he will spare no effort to further develop cooperation and implement various projects related to the Great Return.
Views on issues of mutual interest were exchanged at the meeting.
