Azerbaijani deputy Premier meets UN Secretary General's representative on IDPs

Azerbaijani deputy prime minister and chairman of State Committee on refugees and IDPs Ali Hasanov met Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General on the Human Rights of Internally Displaced Persons Walter Kalin on May 20.

Hasanov reminded the UN official's 2007 visit to the country and his report on its results, calling it “unbiased”.

“The report, which you submitted to the United Nations Human Rights Council, objectively estimates the Azerbaijani government's efforts with regard to settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh problem.”

"The report stresses that UN Security Council`s four resolutions must be implemented, Azerbaijan has invested significant resources to improving the living situation of some 700,000 IDPs pending their return to places of origin. It also says that newly constructed settlements allowed for camps to be closed and welcomes the plan of the government to close the remaining camps by the end of the year.”

Hasanov touched upon the Azeri government`s efforts, saying a state program for improving the living conditions of refugees and IDPs has been carried out “effectively”.

"It was President Ilham Aliyev`s efforts that allowed the creation of new settlements and also elimination of all camps, last of which was removed on September 27, 2007."

The chairman of State Committee said internal migration of IDPs within the country was not limited.

“The government supports their compact settlement which will ease their returning. Everything has been done to create livelihoods for newly resettled IDPs. Their access to education, and improvement of healthcare have also been among priorities of the government.

Azerbaijan's government spares no efforts to provide allocations to solve problems of refugees and IDPs, which has always been a number one priority both for national leader Heydar Aliyev and President Ilham Aliyev."

"A total amount of allocations spent to improve livings standards of refugees and IDPs, including the construction of settlements, is $2.9 billion, of which $2.1 billion was Azerbaijan`s own money.”

Hasanov also praised the activities of international humanitarian organizations in this regard.
He condemned Armenia`s "non-constructive position on the conflict and indifference to the opinion of the international community".

Kalin hailed “great” efforts of the Azerbaijani government towards improving the living situation of IDPs.

“The government well realizes its responsibility on the issue of IDPs,” he said.

Kalin also praised Azerbaijan's striving to “close” cooperation with international organizations to solve problems of refugees and IDPs. UNHCR representative in Azerbaijan Arun Sala-Ngarm was also present at the meeting.


/AzerTAc/