US Ambassador to Azerbaijan was reported about activities carried out for improving social conditions of refugees and IDPs

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Mətbuat xidmətinin məlumatı 21 February, 2013

On February 20, the Deputy Prime Minister, chairman of the State Committee for Deals of Refugees and IDPs - Ali Hasanov met with the US Ambassador to Azerbaijan – Richard Morningstar. Ali Hasanov gave information about Armenia-Azerbaijan, Nagorno Karabakh conflict and its serious results, underlined that more than one million Azerbaijanis became refugees and IDPs. The Deputy Prime Minister mentioned the activities for improving social and housing conditions of refugees and IDPs carried out under the instructions given by the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and by international organizations. There was noted that 77 modern settlements were built for refugees and IDPs at the expense of the State Oil Fund as a result of relevant attention and care by the President during the last 20 years. Stating his assurance for refugees and IDPs’ return to their native lands, the Deputy Prime Minister mentioned Azerbaijan’s economy had recently developed more, military power become stronger, and international relations intensified. On the contrary, Armenia’s political, socio-economic state became more complicated, non-constructive position of the country led to failure of its internal and foreign policy. Unsettlement of Armenia-Azerbaijan, Nagorno Karabakh conflict made the country’s situation more complicated and caused new problems. Ali Hasanov stressed that during the last 20 years, international humanitarian organizations fulfilled programs of USD 930 million in Azerbaijan. 442 million dollars out of it falls on NGOs owned by the USA. In 1995, international humanitarian organizations fulfilled a program of USD 80 million. And practically, the government of Azerbaijan had no opportunity at that time. In 2012, international humanitarian organizations carried out a program which cost USD 25 million, however, Azerbaijan spent nearly 700 million dollars. Talking about the solution of the conflict, Ali Hasanov mentioned that efforts of the OSCE Minsk Group for his purpose were of great importance. The Deputy Prime Minister said Azerbaijan’s President was making serious efforts for the conflict settlement and IDPs’ return to their native lands. The refugees and IDPs are looking forward to the day of their return. R. Morningstar highly appreciated rapid economic development and the works carried out for improvement of refugees’ and IDPs’ social conditions. He noted that the USA would do its best to improve the conditions of IDPs. Touching upon Armenia-Azerbaijan, Nagorno Karabakh conflict, the diplomat stated the OSCE Minsk Group was more active in settling the conflict. At the end, the guest was presented a disc and a book about Armenia-Azerbaijan, Nagorno Karabakh conflict.