(MENAFN- AzerNews)
By Vugar Khalilov
France continues to provide technical assistance to Azerbaijan's
demining efforts in the liberated lands, Azernews reports, citing
French ambassador Zacharie Gross.
Gross made the remarks at the event dedicated to the anniversary
of the national French holiday - Bastille Day.
'French is extremely optimistic about the development of
bilateral cooperation and continues to provide technical support to
Azerbaijan in the landmine clearance. France keeps transferring
mine detection equipment to the Azerbaijani National Agency for
Mine Action (ANAMA),' Gross stressed.
The ambassador emphasized the importance of demining activities
for the return of former internally displaced persons to their
homelands.
Reminding the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations between
Azerbaijan and France, Gross stressed that active political
dialogue and partnership had been achieved during this period.
'Azerbaijan-France relations are based on friendship and trust,
and the countries are looking forward to the further improvement of
these relations,' he added.
Earlier, the ambassador noted that France is keen to donate
€400,000 (AZN 803,272 or $472,752) to support mine clearance
operations in liberated lands.
In the near future, a document is envisaged to be signed
covering areas such as support for demining operations, assistance
to persons who suffered from mines, and the implementation of
projects to raise awareness of the dangers of explosives.
It is worth noting that during the Second Karabakh War, French
President Emmanuel Macron and some French circles failed to
demonstrate a neutral position, despite the fact that France is a
co-chair in the OSCE Minsk Group mediating talks between Baku and
Yerevan.
In contradiction to the mandate of the OSCE Minsk Group
co-chair, only the interests of Armenia were protected and an
inadequate position, which did not meet the requirements of a
balanced and fair co-chairmanship, was displayed. Azerbaijani
President Ilham Aliyev and other top authorities have repeatedly
denounced this approach.
All cities, including hundreds of towns, settlements, public and
private property, and countless infrastructural facilities, were
entirely destroyed as a result of the Armenian invasion and
occupation of Azerbaijani territory for about three decades.
Everything on these lands was destroyed not only during the war,
but also during the occupation period. Simultaneously, Armenia
deliberately and persistently laid mines on Azerbaijani territory,
in violation of the 1949 Geneva Convention, posing a significant
danger to regional peace, security, and cooperation.
Currently, the demining activities, as well as large-scale
reconstruction work are underway in Azerbaijan's liberated
territories.
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- Tags:
- demining
- France Ambassador Zacharie Gross
- Azerbaijan-France
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