Azerbaijani specialists hold talks with Russian peacekeepers in Khojaly

Representatives of Azerbaijani state structures held talks with Russian peacekeepers in Khojaly on environmental monitoring issues. The meeting was held constructively, Azerbaijan’s Economy Ministry and the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources said in a joint statement, Report informs.

According to the statement, in continuation of the negotiations held on December 3, on December 7, a delegation consisting of specialists from the Ministries of Economy, Ecology and Natural Resources, the State Property Service under the Ministry of Economy and AzerGold Closed Joint Stock Company held a meeting in Khojaly with the command of the Russian peacekeeping contingent regarding the illegal exploitation of mineral deposits on the territory of the Republic of Azerbaijan, where the Russian peacekeepers are temporarily located, as well as the environmental and other consequences of this activity.

The meeting participants discussed such issues as conducting an on-site inspection of mineral deposits, in particular, the Gazalbulag gold deposit and the Demirli copper-molybdenum deposit, preventing their illegal exploitation, monitoring and inventorying in various areas, organizing cadastral registration of property, assessing potential damage and risks for surface and underground water sources and the elimination of damage.

The meeting was held in a constructive spirit and such contacts will be continued.

Representatives of the Azerbaijani Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources, the State Property Service under the Ministry of Economy and AzerGold CJSC traveled to the Khojaly district to continue negotiations on environmental monitoring in the areas of Karabakh where the Russian peacekeeping contingent is temporarily deployed, Report informs via the Public Television of Azerbaijan (İTV).

A few days ago, the first round of negotiations took place, which began on the Khankandi-Lachin road and continued at the headquarters of the Russian peacekeeping contingent in Khojaly. The Russian peacekeeping contingent accepted the proposals of the Azerbaijani side, and an agreement was reached on monitoring. It is expected that monitoring will be carried out soon.

The purpose of the monitoring is to assess the damage caused to nature due to the illegal exploitation of ore deposits by illegal Armenian formations and foreign companies in the territories where the Russian peacekeepers are temporarily stationed.