The Standard: Azerbaijan pursuing systematic policy to strengthen stability in South Caucasus

Azerbaijan's actions aimed at strengthening stability in the South Caucasus show the importance of the right approach to the peace plan, reads an article by The Standard, Report informs.

In the article, titled "How the rebuilding of Karabakh is giving hope to war-hit regions," the author provides a detailed review of the events related to the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict.

"A major reconstruction and rehabilitation program was launched, with full control of the region restored in September 2023. To begin with, making the land safe is the top priority. It is believed that an estimated 1,166,702 hectares contain landmines, with a significant investment being channeled into demining the area.

This has been a challenge to rebuilding the region, with 69 citizens of Azerbaijan killed and 308 injured since November 2020, while the total number of Azerbaijani mine victims from the beginning of the conflict in 1991 stands at 3,456.

According to the Azerbaijan Campaign Against Landmines Public Union, the country has spent on humanitarian demining around $350 million in the last four years. To open up the region, Azerbaijan is on an infrastructure-building spree," reads the article.

"First, access to the region has been made easier with the construction of two international airports (those in Fuzuli and in Zangilan are fully operational, with one in Lachin under construction) as well as major road and railway construction projects.

The transport sector is always crucial for building prosperity, and while it is one of the key economic growth drivers, it is even more important for the reconstruction of the liberated territories. The road network indeed remains a critical piece in the economic and social rebuilding of the Karabakh region.

Currently, there are four cities and four villages where people have already returned," the author wrote.

"“We have close to 8,000 people already living in the liberated territories. By the end of the year, the number will grow to 20,000,” said President Azerbaijan Aliyev.

Finally, Azerbaijan being an oil and gas producing country in an ever-greening world, the Karabakh region is set to be reconstructed to be powered by green energy.

This is of special interest, as the country will be hosting COP29 this November and the World Urban Forum in 2026.

The resilience plan in the Southern Caucus, especially after a long-standing conflict with Armenia and regional deterioration in Karabakh, remains in high gear.

It aims to set an example that even after being beaten down for decades, a proper, peaceful and internationally sound recovery plan is the way to go," reads the article.