UN High Commissioner for Refugees Antonio Guterres and Europe Director of High Commissioner Pirko Kouroula who pay visit to our country got familiar with the state of IDPs inhabited in Sabirabad, Bilasuvar and Beylagan, on August 16, 2006.

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Mətbuat xidmətinin məlumatı 21 August, 2006

2189 families from the regions occupied by Armenian armed forces were temporarily inhabited in tent camp “Galagayin” in the territory of Sabirabad. The Deputy Prime Minister, Chairman of the State Committee on Deals of Refugees and Internally Displaced people, chairman of Republic Commission on International Humanitarian Assistance Mr.Ali Hasanov opened High Commissioner’s meeting with the countrymen displaced from their native land and introduced the guests to him, reminded the support of their organization for refugees and IDPs with gratitude especially in 1994-1995. The Deputy Prime Minister, Chairman of the State Committee on Deals of Refugees and Internally Displaced people, chairman of Republic Commission on International Humanitarian Assistance Mr.Ali Hasanov met with UN High Commissioner for Refugees Antonio Guterres and Europe Director of High Commissioner Pirko Kouroula on August 17, 2006. Before meeting, the guests talked to officers of Refugee Status Determination of the Committee. Mr.Ali Hasanov stressed the significance of Baku Office of UN High Commissioner among 70 international humanitarian organization acting in Azerbaijan. According to his words, this office plays a coordinating role of humanitarian organizations. At the same time, it has a great aid to the officers of State Refugees Committee in possessing international practice. Antonio Guterres highly estimated the desire of the government on operative solution of the internally displaced people’s problems, as well as the works done in this field. He noted that, it would be efficient to explain the current state to international community. The attitude of international community towards this problem is of very significant character. Fortunately, the government of Azerbaijan not only prepares the return of IDPs to the occupied lands, but also attempts to the improvement of their state. Antonio Guaterres reassured that, he will do his best in the solution of the problems Azerbaijan pushed. The guests were at the “Heydar Aliyev nook” established in the Committee and got familiar with exhibits. Gifts were presented to the guests as a memory from the meeting. The President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Mr.Ilham Aliyev received the delegations under the leadership of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees Antonio Guterres at the Presidential Palace on August 17. The state leader stated that, the occupation of Azerbaijan lands by Armenia and as a result of this about one million people’s state of becoming refugees and internally displaced is the major problem for our country. He stressed that, the necessary measures are taken to improve the conditions of refugees and IDPs and all tent camps will be cancelled soon. The President Ilham Aliyev stated his hope that this visit will contribute to the work of further extension of relations between Azerbaijan and UN High Commissioner for Refugees. UN High Commissioner for Refugees Antonio Guterres held press conference on the summary of the visit together with The Deputy Prime Minister, Chairman of the State Committee on Deals of Refugees and Internally Displaced people, chairman of Republic Commission on International Humanitarian Assistance Mr.Ali Hasanov at the hotel “Hyat-Regency” on August 17, 2006. Antonio Guterres expressed his gratitude for the high hospitality in Azerbaijan, shared his impressions from the meetings in Sabirabad, Bilasuvar and Beylagan, as well as specially stressed his admiration towards the works done for the improvement of refugees’ and internally displaced people’s conditions by the Azerbaijan government. According to his words, the works of Azerbaijan state carried out in this field should be a sample for other countries. The heads of embassies, consulates, delegations of Azerbaijan functioning in foreign countries were at the Galagayin tent camp on August 18, 2006. The diplomats met our countrymen expelled from their native lands, homes as a result of Armenian occupation, and get familiar with their problems.