Azernews.Az

Elnur Enveroglu

Read more

The main issues on the agenda were debated today in the British Parliament. Among the issues, Azerbaijan-Armenia relations, the latest situation in Garabagh, as well as the problem of landmines still existing in Garabagh, were brought to discussion at the event.

Azernews informs that in the debate, Leo Docherty, the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, in response to a question about the recent situation in Garabagh, called the issue of the alleged forced removal of Armenians from Garabagh and the so-called ethnic cleansing completely unfounded.

The British politician noted that the events in Garabagh cannot be characterized as ethnic cleansing.

Besides, as part of the discussion, the issue of demining and restoration in Azerbaijani territories liberated from occupation has been raised in the British Parliament.

According to the official information, David Duguid, Deputy Chairman of the Friendship Group on British-Azerbaijani inter-parliamentary relations, asked Under Secretary of the British Foreign Office Leo Docherty in the course of discussions in Parliament what support the UK government and companies provide in the process of clearing the Garabagh region of Azerbaijan of mines laid by the Armenian armed forces, as well as in the restoration of towns and settlements that were looted and destroyed during the occupation.

Responding to the question, the Undersecretary noted that the British Government continues to assess the humanitarian situation in the region, 1 million pounds sterling has been allocated within the framework of the UN Development Program for the demining of the region from 2020, and discussions are underway with the Azerbaijani government on reconstruction and reintegration.

Note that Azerbaijan has been struggling to clear the Garabagh economic region and East Zangazur from mines since it liberated the territories from Armenian occupation. Armenia's planting of mines and unexploded ordnance left in the territory pose a serious threat to speedy reconstruction work and the return of IDPs to their homes.

Azerbaijan stands among the countries suffering from mine issues, and this issue has been raised several times at UN organisations as many civilians still become victims of landmines.

Meanwhile, despite some maps that Armenia has provided earlier regarding the locations of landmines, they have not been true.

---

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz