On September 4, President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev held a meeting at the Presidential Palace to discuss problems of the people displaced from their native lands as a result of the Armenian military aggression against Azerbaijan.

The President said: “A million of our compatriots have been displaced from their homes as a result of the Armenian military aggression against our country. The policy of ethnic cleansing has been pursued in our lands, and this injustice has reigned for many years.”

He noted, however, that peace talks continue, and success in the Prague process would help with peaceful resolution of the conflict.

The Azerbaijani leader emphasized that the country’s international prestige has been considerably enhanced over the past years. “The energy policy has been a success; the economic and military potential of our country has increased. So, unless the conflict is settled peacefully, Azerbaijan does not rule out resorting to other measures.”

“Azerbaijan is capable to liberate its lands in any way. Armenia must realize that drawing out the conflict’s resolution will lead to even worst consequences.”

“The Government of Azerbaijan takes serious steps to solve the problems of refugees and internally displaced people. A huge part of the benefit from the national leader Heydar Aliyev’s oil strategy goes to resolving their problems.

Up to 70,000 people have been moved to 47 new settlements built for the refugees and internally displaced persons for the period between 2001 and 2007.”

Also addressing the meeting was Deputy Prime Minister of Azerbaijan, Chairman of the State Committee for Refugees’ and IDPs’ Affairs Ali Hasanov.

He presented printed publications reflecting the large-scale activities to improve living conditions of the refugees and internally displaced persons to President Ilham Aliyev.

The Head of State also viewed a photo-stand displaying infrastructural parameters of the new settlements for refugees and IDPs.

After that, Executive Director of the State Oil Fund Shahmar Movsumov and governors of the occupied Azerbaijani regions informed the President on what has been done to resolve social problems of the people, as well as difficulties they face during their work.

The meeting ended with closing remarks by President Ilham Aliyev.