Chairman of the State Committee for Affairs of Refugees and IDPs Rovshan Rzayev met with the delegation from Canada that visited our country.

The guests were informed in detail about the problem of refugees and forced displacement faced by our country as a result of Armenia's policy of occupation and deportation, the measures taken to solve it, the activities of the state committee, the realities arising after the liberation of our lands from occupation, and the Great Return program. It was noted that support and care for refugees and IDPs occupies a special place in the social policy of President Ilham Aliyev, and First Vice-President Mehriban Aliyeva always pays attention to improving their living conditions, solving issues of education, health and cultural development.

It was noted that, according to the principles of international law, the implementation of voluntary, safe and dignified return of IDPs to their native lands is an important task facing the state at present. Extensive restoration works are underway in Karabakh and East Zangazur, which have been under occupation for about 30 years and most of the settlements have been completely destroyed. The implementation of large-scale projects allows our compatriots to settle in their native lands permanently. To date, more than 2000 IDPs have been settled in restored or newly built settlements in Zangilan, Lachin, Fuzuli and Tartar within the framework of the Great Return program. Their relocation is carried out by the State Committee. It was noted that according to the results of surveys conducted, the absolute majority of IDPs are determined to return to their native lands.

Member of the House of Commons of Canada, MP Chandra Arya thanked for the detailed information provided. He said that Canada is also a country that supports refugees, mainly refugees from Asia and Africa are accepted. Chandra Arya stressed that very good opportunities have been created for refugees and IDPs in Azerbaijan, and this is a manifestation of the state's attention and care for IDPs. He noted that their return to their native lands in peace is an important event.  

Ron East, the publishing director of the influential Canadian Jewish media platform "Thej.ca" and Nigar Aliyeva, the co-founder of the "Karabakh" Azerbaijani weekend school operating in Ottawa, the capital of Canada, also took part in the meeting.

Then numerous questions of the guests were answered.

As part of the visit, the guests will visit the territories freed from occupation.