"Azerbaijan may play important role in protection of refugees in the world"

Azerbaijan may play an important role in the world to protect refugees and IDPs, UN High Commissioner for Refugees and IDPs Antonio Guterres told journalists.

"My visit is evidence to further strengthening of ties between Azerbaijan and the UN High Commissariat for Refugees. I have visited Azerbaijan five years ago. Then, the government allocated more funds to improve the living conditions of refugees, who forced to flee their homes as a result of the Karabakh conflict. I am confident that I will witness the fact that the lives of the refugees has improved. I believe Azerbaijan is turning into a modern and developed nation. Azerbaijan could play an important role in the world to protect refugees and IDPs from this point of view," he said.

Guterres said 2011 will mark the 60th anniversary of the adoption of the UN Convention on the Status of Refugees and IDPs.

"In this regard, we are going to hold an international conference at ministerial level. We intend to invite the Azerbaijani representatives. Because, we believe Azerbaijan should have its say at the conference," he said.

Guterres paid tribute to National Leader Heydar Aliyev in the Alley of Honor and visited the Alley of Martyrs this morning.


/Trend/