Ilham Aliyev: Mine clearance in liberated lands is a priority

The demining of the liberated lands is a priority, President Ilham Aliyev said as he spoke during a video conference with Vugar Suleymanov on his appointment as Chairman of the Board of the Azerbaijan Mine Action Agency on February 4.

"There can be no talk of development before that has been accomplished. Even now, we can do the work on the construction of roads and railways only after the sappers have cleared those areas of mines. This is why any activity there, any development depends on demining. For this reason, we must speed up a little. At the same time, demining must be carried out in such a way that, I repeat, there is no danger after the completion of that work," the head of state said.

"The agency has great tasks ahead. First of all, you need to pay attention to the proper organization of work. Administrative work must be done correctly. The new agency is a state agency. Of course, first of all, professional staff should be selected and involved in the agency's work. Naturally, the personnel of the former ANAMA organization should be involved. Simultaneously, the agency's composition should be determined because the agency must have a larger workforce to build and carry out work in the liberated lands quickly and efficiently," President Ilham Aliyev noted.