OFFICIAL NEWS
PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF AZERBAIJAN ILHAM ALIYEV MEETS UN HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR REFUGEES
Mr. Ruud Lubbers congratulated Ilham Aliyev on his election as head of state and expressed his gratitude to him for giving time and fruitful cooperation of Azerbaijan with the High Commissariat.
He said the there were refugees from Nagorno-Karabakh, adjacent regions and Armenia in Azerbaijan, and that Azerbaijan is so tolerant country from the religious and ethnic standpoint that even Meshety Turks and Chechen refugees also find asylum here. The High Commissioner thanked the Azerbaijani Government for care about these people.
President Ilham Aliyev provided the High Commissioner with detailed information about over million refugees from Armenian military aggression, their hard living conditions and measure taken by the Government to improve the situation. The head of State let the High Commissioner know that the State Committee for Refugees and IDPs is now functioning in the Republic. The Government, according to him, allocated 70 million dollars for building houses for refugees and IDPs, which were supplied with electric power and water. President Ilham Aliyev noted that this work would be continued as still many refugee families live in encampments and hostels.
Azerbaijan President stressed that “our goal is to achieve complete withdrawal of Armenian Armed forces from the occupied territories.” The head of State reminded that leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan had held up to 20 personal meeting to discuss the ways of the conflict resolution. “Just a few hours ago we met with Armenian President,” he said.
President Ilham Aliyev noted that there were UN’s four resolutions on withdrawal of the occupational forces from the Azerbaijani territories, and that the Council of Europe also recognized Armenia as an aggressor. However, Armenia’s non-constructive position impedes the conflict resolution.
Pointing out the decrease in donor’s aid to Azerbaijan’s refugees, the head of State told the UN High Commissioner of the necessity for such aid to our Republic.
During the conversation, the parties exchanged views on processes taking place in the region including the recent developments in Georgia. The High Commissioner was curious about the Azerbaijan’s relations with neighboring states. President Ilham Aliyev updated him in detail on the matter.
Mr. Ruud Lubbers stress the importance of urgent peaceful resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and expressed hope that refugees and IDPs would return to their native lands soon. He also said he would intensify his efforts on rendering aid to refugees and IDPs in Azerbaijan.
The High Commissioner said they plan to hold conference in Baku in late January. The conference will be focused on the work to be done after refugees return to their places.
President Ilham Aliyev expressed his satisfaction with this initiative and noted all necessary conditions would be created for the conference to be held successfully.
With the meeting completed, President Ilham Aliyev and High Commissioner Ruud Lubbers answered journalists’ questions.