A meeting was held at the State Committee for Affairs of Refugees and Internally Displaced Persons of the Republic of Azerbaijan with a delegation from the state of Maine, USA, visiting our country.
The Deputy Chairman of the State Committee, Fuad Huseynov, provided detailed information to the guests about the main directions of state policy in the field of work with refugees and internally displaced persons, the activities of the committee, and the measures implemented within the framework of the First State Program on the Great Return to the liberated territories.
It was noted that the emergence of the refugee and internally displaced persons problem in our country in the 1980s and 1990s was due to Armenia's territorial claims, occupation, and deportation policies against Azerbaijanis. As a result, our people faced severe difficulties for nearly 30 years, with almost one million people displaced from their homes.
The Azerbaijani state has prioritized addressing the problems of refugees and internally displaced persons. Improving their housing and living conditions is also an important aspect of President Ilham Aliyev's social policy. First Vice-President Mehriban Aliyeva pays special attention and care to issues related to this category of people.
The end of occupation and separatism has allowed former internally displaced persons to return to their homes. The consequences of the destruction caused by the occupiers in the liberated territories are being eliminated, and extensive reconstruction and development works are being carried out. The Great Return process has begun and continues successfully.
The American guests were informed about the organization of the return process, the conducted surveys and monitoring results, and the main problem hindering the relocation process in the liberated territories—the mine threat. It was noted that Azerbaijan ranks first in the world in terms of contamination of the liberated territories with mines and unexploded ordnance, and efforts are ongoing to clear these areas as soon as possible.
The head of the delegation, Maine Senator Jill Duson, expressed her gratitude for the provided information. She mentioned that she has been following the construction and restoration works in the liberated territories through the media and expressed admiration for the work done by President Ilham Aliyev in a short period.
During the meeting, there was an exchange of views on issues of mutual interest.
It should be noted that the American guests plan to visit Shusha in the coming days.
