On January 27, Rovshan Rzayev, the chairman of the State Committee for Affairs of Refugees and IDPs, met with Fergus Auld, the Ambassador of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland to our country. The chairman of the State Committee congratulated the ambassador on his appointment to Azerbaijan and wished him success.

The ambassador was given detailed information about the fact that more than one million Azerbaijanis became refugees and IDPs as a result of Armenia's occupation and deportation policy, as well as the state measures implemented to solve their problems. It was said that President Ilham Aliyev paid special attention to strengthening the social protection of people from this category, improving their living conditions, increasing their employment, and the initiatives of First Vice President Mehriban Aliyeva in this field are of great importance. The support and assistance provided by international organizations to our country during the period of humanitarian disaster was noted with gratitude.

It was reminded that after the end of the occupation of Armenia in 2020 and the liberation of our lands from the occupation, it became possible for the IDPs to return to their homeland. Necessary measures are taken to carry out this process voluntarily, safely and with dignity. The appropriate state program has been adopted, restoration and reconstruction works are carried out. However, the mine threat still remaining in the liberated areas, causing severe consequences and loss of life, hinders the acceleration of the return. Satisfaction was expressed that the British government also supported mine clearance.

Fergus Auld, Ambassador of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland to our country, thanked for the warm reception. During his activity, he said that he will spare no effort to expand joint cooperation, develop and implement projects related to refugees and IDPs.

Other issues of mutual interest were discussed at the meeting.