At the session within the framework of the "Advanced Foreign Policy Program for Foreign Diplomats" jointly organized by the International Development Agency (AIDA) under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Institute of Development and Diplomacy (IDD) of ADA University, Deputy Chairman of the State Committee for Affairs of Refugees and IDPs Fuad Huseynov gave a lecture to 23 foreign diplomats at ADA University.
The diplomats were informed about the deprivations and difficulties experienced by more than 1 million people who were forced to live the life of refugees and IDPs as a result of the occupation and deportation policy of Armenia. It was noted that our compatriots who were forced to leave their native lands settled in unfinished buildings, basements and hostels in difficult conditions. It was noted that refugees and IDPs are surrounded by state care, President Ilham Aliyev pays special attention to the improvement of living conditions and effective organization of social protection of persons of this category, and First Vice-President Mehriban Aliyeva always shows sensitivity and effective support to the solution of their problems.
It was noted that at present, the state faces such an important task as ensuring the return and sustainable settlement of IDPs. This became possible after the victory of our country in the Patriotic War in 2020. Residential areas, administrative buildings, roads, communication lines destroyed during the 30-year occupation of Karabakh and East Zangazur are being restored, large-scale projects are being implemented. The complete mining of the occupied lands by Armenia during the occupation slows down the process of Great Return of IDPs. It was also emphasized that the international community should force Armenia to provide mine maps to ensure the safety of both residents returning to their native lands and persons performing professional activities in the liberated territories.
It was brought to the attention that the voluntary, safe and dignified return of IDPs to their native lands according to the principles of international law and the provision of apartments in their native lands, built in accordance with modern standards and equipped with the necessary socio-technical infrastructure, is a priority for our state.
All necessary measures are being taken to provide our compatriots with comfortable, modern apartments. When the settlements are restored, preference is given to the concepts of “smart village”, “smart city”, “green zone”. Already 86 families - 420 IDPs live in apartments built on the basis of this concept in Aghali village of Zangilan region.
It was noted that by the end of this year, about 2 thousand IDP families, i.e. about 10 thousand IDPs, are expected to return to their native lands and settle permanently in Karabakh and East Zangazur economic regions. It is planned to relocate about 700 families to Lachin and 400 families to Zabukh and Sus villages of Lachin region. At the same time, it is planned to return 267 families to Fuzuli and about 100 families to Aghali village of Zangilan at the next stage.
At the end, numerous questions of foreign guests were answered.
