Azernews.Az

Several non-governmental organizations operating in the Armenia-occupied Nagorno-Karabakh region of Azerbaijan have applied for funding to the Azerbaijani state body supporting NGOs, according to Azay Guliyev, who heads the Council of State Support to NGOs under the Azerbaijani President.

Guliyev told Trend news agency that the Council is ready to finance NGOs based in the territory of Nagorno-Karabakh.

"In view of the fact that Armenians living in the occupied territories are also Azerbaijani citizens, support for their initiatives...within certain rules set by the Council is possible," Guliyev commented. "NGOs operating in Nagorno-Karabakh convey to us their wishes by indirect ways. In particular, at international events they approach our representatives and ask about an opportunity to submit a project to Azerbaijan and the Council. Our answer is that any citizen or an established entity respecting the laws and the Constitution of Azerbaijan can take full advantage of the capabilities of the state. However, bewaring a military junta in Khankandi [the center of the self-proclaimed republic run by ethnic Armenians in Azerbaijan's occupied Nagorno Karabakh region] and the separatist regime, Armenian NGOs ask to keep this a secret."

He said social projects, those for the protection of historical monuments and environmental projects of Armenian NGOs in Nagorno-Karabakh could be supported.

"It is known that the occupied territories are faced with a very difficult environmental situation," Guliyev said. "As a result of arsons the flora and fauna of the region are being purposefully harmed. Our historical monuments are being destroyed or their purpose changed. Any local NGO that wants to scrutinize and monitor the situation on these topics can be provided with support."

He said the main point is that NGOs with such mindset would appear.
"Given the current realities, we can ease the conditions of the announced selection for Nagorno-Karabakh NGOs or arrange for them receipt of documents in a special regime. In short, if such applications are received officially, a serious reaction will follow," Guliyev said.