Switzerland will intensify efforts for peaceful solution of Armenia –Azerbaijan, Karabakh conflict

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Mətbuat xidmətinin məlumatı 12 August, 2013

Azerbaijani Deputy Prime Minister, Chairman of the State Committee for Affairs of Refugees and Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) Ali Hasanov met with the Ambassador of Swiss Confederation to Azerbaijan Pascal Obisher on August 12. Ali Hasanov highlighted that the relations between Azerbaijan and Switzerland are at a high level. He stated that a clear sample of these relations is the exchange of experience between the two countries in the political, cultural and humanitarian spheres. Azerbaijan is interested in the successful development of this collaboration in the future. Ali Hasanov noted Armenia – Azerbaijan, Karabakh conflict is a major problem for the country. As a result of Armenia's military aggression, 20 percent of Azerbaijani lands were occupied, 1.2 million citizens have become refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs). Expressing his confidence that the refugees and IDPs will return their homelands, Deputy Prime Minister said due to the purposeful policy pursued by the Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, the fair position of Azerbaijan is getting great support in the globe, and the international authority of the country is growing. He also stated that this conflict is dangerous not only for the South Caucasus region, but for the entire world, since Armenia is using the occupied Azerbaijani territory as a transit for drug trafficking and for the training of terrorist groups sent to different countries. Emphasizing Armenia's neglecting the resolutions of influential international organizations on the Armenian-Azerbaijani Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, and continuing the policy of occupation, Deputy Prime Minister stated justice will triumph soon. The Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, which led to the death and suffering of innocent people, still remains unsolved due to the unconstructive position of Armenia. Ali Hasanov stressed the work done by President Aliyev and international organizations to improve the social, housing and living conditions of refugees and IDPs. It was underscored that $5.4 billion was allocated to solve the problems of refugees and IDPs as a result of the care and attention of our president, 2 billion of which was funded by SOFAZ. In addition, 82 modern settlements were built for refugees and IDPs through the funding of country's state oil fund SOFAZ. 160,000 refugees and IDPs have been accommodated in these settlements. The Deputy Prime Minster also mentioned humanitarian programs, which are held for IDPs. Ali Hasanov accentuated that the Switzerland Cooperation Organization, which has operated in Azerbaijan for over 12 years, carried out programs in various fields with the total sum of $20 million.These programs are particularly implemented in regions located near the occupied territories and partially occupied Agdam and Fizuli regions. The Government of Azerbaijan has created all the conditions for a free and transparent work of the organization. In many cases, Swiss Confederation supports the just position of Azerbaijan in international events, he added. Pascal Obisher emphasized the stages of developmental his country has passed. Azerbaijan has rapidly grown in a short period after the restoration of independence, he uttered. Obisher stressed Switzerland will step up more efforts for a peaceful settlement of the Armenian-Azerbaijani Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, as well as other conflicts existing in Europe during its the OSCE presidency next year. The ambassador expressed his confidence that the economic relations between the two countries will develop further in the coming years. In the end, the diplomat was presented the book titled “Information on about one million refugees and internally displaced persons formed as a result of ethnic cleansing policy in Armenia and occupation of 20 percent of territories of Azerbaijan by Armenian armed forces (1988-2011)” and discs of the film about the conflict.