Event on landmine threat facing Azerbaijan held in Latvia

The Embassy of Azerbaijan to Latvia, in cooperation with the Northern European Policy Center (NEPC) and the Mine Action Agency of Azerbaijan (ANAMA), held a roundtable discussion titled "Mine Action in Azerbaijan: Priorities and Challenges," the embassy said in a statement, Report informs.

The event focused on raising awareness about landmine threat in Azerbaijan, humanitarian demining challenges and promoting international cooperation. Opening remarks were delivered by Ambassador Elnur Sultanov, former Latvian President Raimonds Vejonis and NEPC Chair Artis Pabriks. Key speakers included Gaya Mammadov, a member of the Milli Majlis (Parliament) of Azerbaijan, and Samir Poladov, Deputy Chair of ANAMA.

Azerbaijani Ambassador to Latvia Elnur Sultanov stated that Azerbaijan is among the countries most contaminated with mines and unexploded ordnance as a result of Armenia's nearly 30-year military occupation.

Former Latvian President Raimonds Vejonis touched upon the consequences of the current mine problem in Azerbaijan, noting that the threat in question is great.

NEPC Chair Artis Pabriks, former Minister of Defense of Latvia, noted that Azerbaijan has been a strategic partner for Latvia in the South Caucasus for many years.

Member of the Milli Majlis, Gaya Mammadov, said that the government spent a large amount of money to allow internally displaced persons to return to their homes after the liberation of Azerbaijani lands from occupation, but that Armenia's planting of mines in civilian areas far from the former line of contact seriously hindered the process.

ANAMA Deputy Chair Samir Poladov made a presentation on mine action efforts in Azerbaijan.

The event was attended by members of the Latvian Saeima, representatives of the National Armed Forces, the Ministry of Defence, the Foreign Ministry, the State Border Service, members of the diplomatic corps and experts.