The chairman of State Committee for Affairs of Refugees and IDPs, met on March 28 with Michael Darmon, the resident of France, an employee of international "i24 News” TV, presenter of "Club des Reporters", writer of "Bastille" and "Hémicycle" magazines, speaker of "BFM” TV and "France Bleu" radio channels.

The guest was informed in detail of the causes of the problem of the refugees and IDPs resettlement in our country, state policy implemented in this field. It was emphasized that as a result of the occupation and deportation policy of Armenia, more than one million Azerbaijanis had been expelled from their native lands and had been subject to serious deprivations. It was noted that the refugees and IDPs have always been subject to the attention and care of the government. It was noted that the solution of the problems of refugees and IDPs occupied important place among the priorities of social policy of the President Ilham Aliyev, and first vice- president Mehriban Aliyeva paid special attention to the protection of the rights and interests of the persons of this category.

It was emphasized that after the liberation of the territories of Azerbaijan from the occupation, there was an opportunity provided for the IDPs to return to their native lands voluntarily, safely and with properly in accordance with the principles of international law. It was noted that large- scale projects had been implemented by the government in order to provide them with living conditions meeting modern requirements in these field, and the concepts of “smart village” and “smart city” had been preferred. The guest was informed of that the restoration works had been performed in Zangilan region Aghali village and Tartar region Talysh village, 510 IDPs had already been permanently settled in these villages, as well of that mining by Armenia even of the lands without military purpose during the period of the occupation of Azerbaijani territories had slowed down the process of Great Return.

Michael Darmon expressed his gratitude for sincere conversation and emphasized that his visit was aimed at delivering objective information about the realities of Azerbaijan to international community. French journalist said that he would go to liberated Shusha city within his visit.

The chairman of State Committee clarified all the matters that interested him related to the refugees and IDPs and answered his questions.