BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 3. Azerbaijan ranks
among the top 10 countries with a mine problem in the world,
President of the International Eurasian Press Fund and Chairman of
the Public Council under the Azerbaijan National Agency for Mine
Action (ANAMA) Umud Mirzayev told reporters today, Trend reports.
According to him, by the decision of the United Nations, April 4
is marked annually as the International Day for Mine Awareness and
Assistance in Mine Action.
"There are more than 1.5 million mines in the country. This
significantly complicates the implementation of the Great Return
Program, the safe return of former internally displaced persons to
their homelands, as well as the construction of new settlements and
infrastructure projects," he delineated.
Mirzayev noted that the mine problem is not only a political
issue but primarily a human and humanitarian problem.
"This is a global challenge related to human life, security, and
the welfare of future generations. Even if the war ends, mines will
continue to endanger people's lives for decades. The UN also
assesses this threat as a global humanitarian issue.
Therefore, the world community must demonstrate a unified
position in solving the problem, and international organizations,
donor agencies, and human rights institutions must show solidarity
in this direction. Unfortunately, global powers and the world leave
Azerbaijan alone in solving this problem and do not provide
support.
After the Second Karabakh War, approximately 260,000 hectares of
land in Azerbaijan have been cleared of mines. Although this is an
important result, considering the total volume of contaminated
areas, it is clear that there is still much work to be done," he
added.
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