Azernews.Az

By Sara Rajabova

Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, which resulted in the occupation of Azerbaijani territory by Armenia, is a major problem for the country, Azerbaijani Deputy Prime Minister, chairman of the State Committee on Refugees and IDPs Ali Hasanov stressed in a meeting with the new Ambassador of Switzerland to Azerbaijan Pascal Obisher on August 12.

Hasanov noted that as a result of Armenia's military aggression, 20 percent of Azerbaijani lands were occupied and 1.2 million of citizens have become refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs).

The Nagorno-Karabakh conflict emerged in 1988 when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. Since a lengthy war in the early 1990s that displaced over one million Azerbaijanis, Armenian armed forces have occupied over 20 percent of Azerbaijan's internationally recognized territory, including Nagorno-Karabakh and seven adjacent regions.

Expressing confidence that the refugees and IDPs will return their homes, Hasanov said as a result of purposeful policy pursued by the Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, the fair position of Azerbaijan is getting great support in the world, and the country's authority is growing in international arena.

Hasanov also noted that this conflict is dangerous not only for the South Caucasus region, but the entire world, because Armenia is using the occupied Azerbaijani territory as a transit for drug trafficking and training of terrorist groups sent to various countries.

Stressing Armenia's neglecting the resolutions of international organizations on the Armenian-Azerbaijani Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, and continuing the policy of occupation, Hasanov said justice will soon triumph.

Armenia has not enforced the UN Security Council's four resolutions on withdrawal of its troops from the occupied territories to this day.

The Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, which led to the death and suffering of innocent people, is still unsolved because of the unconstructive position of Armenia, Hasanov underscored.

Hasanov spoke about the work done by President Aliyev and international organizations to improve the social, housing and living conditions of refugees and IDPs. In particular, $5.4 billion was allocated to address the problems of refugees and IDPs. In addition, 82 modern settlements were built for refugees and IDPs that hosts 160,000 refugees and IDPs through the funding of country's state oil fund SOFAZ.

He also spoke about humanitarian programs, which are implemented for IDPs. For instance, the Switzerland Cooperation Organization, which has operated in Azerbaijan for over 12 years, carried out programs in various fields with the total cost of $20 million.

These programs are implemented in regions located near the occupied territories, partially occupied Agdam and Fizuli regions. Azerbaijani government has created all conditions for a free and transparent work of the organization, Hasanov added.

He also noted that Switzerland in many cases supports the just position of Azerbaijan in international events.

Furthermore, Hasanov noted that the relations between Azerbaijan and Switzerland are at a high level. He said that a clear example of these relations is the exchange of experience between the two countries in the political, cultural and humanitarian spheres and Azerbaijan is interested in the successful development of this cooperation in the future.

In turn, Swiss Ambassador Obisher spoke about the development of his country, which has passed different steps on this path. He said Azerbaijan has rapidly grown in a short period after the restoration of independence.

Obisher emphasized Switzerland will step up efforts for a peaceful settlement of the Armenian-Azerbaijani Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and other conflicts that exist in Europe during its the OSCE presidency next year.

The ambassador expressed his confidence that the economic relations between Azerbaijan and Switzerland will develop in the coming years.