Baku: Although the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict has ended, the humanitarian consequences caused by the conflict remain on the agenda, Assistant to the President of Azerbaijan and Head of the Foreign Policy Affairs Department of the Presidential Administration Hikmat Hajiyev said in a statement to journalists, APA reports.
According to Azeri-Press News Agency, Hikmat Hajiyev highlighted the ongoing threat posed by landmines in Azerbaijan. He stated that since 2020, more than 420 citizens have been killed or seriously injured due to mine explosions. He emphasized that over one million mines were planted in Azerbaijani territories by Armenian armed forces during the occupation, making this issue a significant concern. Hajiyev noted that Azerbaijan is undertaking efforts to clear these mines using domestic resources, but acknowledged the scale of the task and its impact on reconstruction efforts.
Hajiyev also addressed appeals from Armenian non-governmental organizations concerning Armenian-origin individuals detained in Azerbaijan. He emphasized that legal decisions regarding these individuals have been made by Azerbaijani judicial structures, aligning with national and international humanitarian laws. He described this legal process as akin to a Nuremberg tribunal for Azerbaijan, emphasizing the importance of addressing crimes with corresponding legal actions.
Furthermore, Hajiyev commented on the opposition from Armenian circles concerning reconstruction in Khankendi and other cities. He stated that Azerbaijan is conducting large-scale reconstruction efforts in these areas, including addressing illegal structures built during the occupation. He highlighted that, according to urban planning principles and the Geneva Conventions, constructions carried out by the occupying side during the occupation that violate property rights and sovereignty are illegal. Azerbaijan is taking necessary steps to remove such constructions and align them with urban planning and development plans.