EU Council Delegation Visits Azerbaijan’s Liberated Territories
Shusha, The Gulf Observer: A delegation of the Council of the European Union’s Working Party on Eastern Europe and Central Asia (COEST) visited Azerbaijan’s liberated territories on October 2, touring the cities of Shusha and Khankendi as well as Aghdam district to observe reconstruction, development and mine-clearance efforts.
The delegation began its visit in Shusha, where Aydin Karimov, Special Representative of the President of Azerbaijan in the Shusha district, briefed the guests on the city’s history, its condition during the occupation and ongoing reconstruction following its liberation.
The delegation visited the Yukhari Govhar Agha and Ashagi Govhar Agha mosques and viewed monuments dedicated to prominent Azerbaijani cultural figures Natavan, Bulbul and Uzeyir Hajibayli.
The guests also inspected the historic fortress walls of Shusha and were briefed on the city’s history and the construction of its defensive structures. They were also informed about the Gazanchi Church.
The EU Council delegation subsequently visited Khankendi, where it toured Garabagh University and received information about the institution’s activities, modern educational infrastructure and opportunities available to students.
During a meeting at Garabagh University, Sabuhi Gahramanov, Deputy Special Representative of the President of Azerbaijan in Khankendi and the Aghdara and Khojaly districts, briefed the delegation on reconstruction activities in Khankendi and the resettlement of internally displaced persons to their former places of residence.
The delegation also visited Victory Park and Victory Square, where it was informed about the significance of the sites in commemorating the Azerbaijani people’s efforts to restore territorial integrity and the outcome of the 44-day Patriotic War.
The delegation then proceeded to Sarijali village in Aghdam district, where it was briefed on ongoing mine-clearance operations.
Representatives of the Mine Action Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan (ANAMA) provided information on mine contamination in the liberated territories and ongoing demining activities. The delegation members observed the demining process and were informed that Aghdam is among the areas most heavily affected by landmines and unexploded ordnance.
The EU Council delegation also met with Emin Huseynov, Special Representative of the President of Azerbaijan in the Aghdam, Fuzuli and Khojavend districts.
Huseynov briefed the guests on the large-scale restoration and reconstruction projects being implemented across Azerbaijan’s liberated territories.
As part of the programme, a video presentation showcasing the ongoing transformation and development of the liberated areas was screened.
A representative of Azerbaijan’s State Commission on Prisoners of War, Hostages and Missing Persons also briefed the delegation on the commission’s activities, including efforts to identify mass graves discovered in the liberated territories and investigate the fate of Azerbaijanis who remain missing.
The visit provided the EU Council delegation with an opportunity to observe firsthand Azerbaijan’s reconstruction and development efforts, as well as the challenges posed by landmines and unexploded ordnance in the liberated territories.
