Ukrainian envoy: Aghdam city to become visiting card of Azerbaijan

“I am sure that Aghdam city will become a visiting card of Azerbaijan in the future,” Ambassador of Ukraine to Azerbaijan Vladyslav Kanevskyi said on June 8 at a press conference following the presentation of Kyiv’s tourism opportunities held in Baku, Report informs.

“It is a depressing situation when you see the once beautiful city of Aghdam, where now only a mosque has survived, which was used as an observation post during the war,” the diplomat said.

The ambassador reminded that he visited Aghdam and saw the state of the city after the Armenian occupation: “At a distance, at the entrance to this city, a high frequency of explosions of anti-tank and anti-personnel mines was felt. This means that the territory needs demining and other actions. This is an impression that is very difficult to convey. But I am sure that we will see what Azerbaijanis will be proud of in a few years and what will attract foreign tourists. I am sure that this will be a visiting card of Azerbaijan.”

Answering a question from journalists regarding the liberated territories of Azerbaijan, the diplomat expressed confidence that someday agreements will be signed between the administrative-territorial units of Ukraine and Azerbaijan, including with Azerbaijani cities or regions that were liberated from occupation.

“But what could be hindering tourism now? Before resuming the vital activity of the regions, it is necessary to carry out demining. In this aspect, both Ukraine and Azerbaijan are working very closely. On the one hand, a very long procedure awaits us because it is a complex, systematic work,” he added.

Talking about other liberated Azerbaijani territories, the ambassador expressed confidence that the problem with their demining will be resolved as soon as possible. In particular, Kalbajar district will become one of the tourist destinations for Ukrainians, he said.