SWITZERLAND TO INTENSIFY EFFORTS FOR PEACEFUL SOLUTION OF KARABAKH CONFLICT
AzerNews, Azerbaijan
Aug 14 2013
14 August 2013, 18:52 (GMT+05:00)
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.