MAY-2021

BULLETIN

H I GHL I GHT OF THE FORE I G N P O L I CY OF REPUBL I C OF AZERBA I JAN

Table of contents

I. The demarcation process and ’s continued provocations on the border with 2

II. Azerbaijan is transforming the region after the war 8

III. Azerbaijan continues to rebuild Karabakh 12

IV. Reintegrating Karabakh’s Armenian population into the rest of Azerbaijan 13

V. Azerbaijan to put foreign terrorist fighters on trial 14

VI. Azerbaijan and Turkey deepen military-technical cooperation 16

VII. Azerbaijan at the forefront of the fight against Covid-19 pandemic 18

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I. The demarcation process and put it, Armenian politicians “are Armenia’s continued provocations playing the blame game – the current on the border with Azerbaijan government blames the previous one and the previous government blames the current one. Border demarcation has been under way In fact, they are all guilty because they made a between Armenia and Azerbaijan following big mistake. They did not think that they would the Second Karabakh War. After the Trilateral find themselves in such a helpless state, and Agreement of November 10th, Azerbaijan they themselves are the culprits of all their started the process of demarcation using troubles”. Soviet maps and GPS systems. Delimitation and demarcation of state boundaries between The revanchist forces in Armenia are seeking Armenia and Azerbaijan are essential for the to present the trilateral statement as just a durable and sustainable peace and security in “truce agreement”, akin to the 1994 Bishkek the region. At the same time, Azerbaijan Protocol. However, the trilateral statement understands that this process is very and the Bishkek protocol are fundamentally complicated. As the Ministry of Foreign Affairs different documents with completely different of the Republic of Azerbaijan put it, “measures legal and political weight. Unlike the Bishkek to strengthen the border protection system protocol, the trilateral statement was signed implemented within the territorial integrity of by the heads of state of Azerbaijan, Russia, and Azerbaijan are carried out based on maps Armenia which pays the way for the final peace available to each of the sides that define the agreement. The trilateral statement also calls borderline between Armenia and Azerbaijan. for the opening of all transport and Since regaining its independence, there has communication links blocked during the first been no state border between the two Karabakh war. The trilateral agreement also countries for obvious reasons, and for this lays the groundwork for the delimitation and reason, we speak about the complicated demarcation of the border between technical process, which is currently Azerbaijan and Armenia. accompanied by disagreements between the In this context, deliberately whipping up sides”. tensions and increasing provocations on the The situation is even more complicated border with Azerbaijan in the run-up to the considering the continuing political crisis in June parliamentary election in Armenia was Armenia after the war. The Second Karabakh not unexpected. Armenia is playing War has transformed the political space in provocative games, clearly striving to disrupt Armenia, throwing the Armenian society into the process of the delimitation and deep political turmoil. Unfortunately, there is demarcation of borders. By artificially stoking a significant risk that Armenia could implode up tensions, Armenia tries to prove that the from within both if Pashinyan is re-elected or conflict is not over and push international the Karabakh clan led by Robert Kocharyan actors, particularly Russia and the CSTO, to get comes to power again. In case of Pashinyan's involved in it. At the same time, through victory, the country could find itself in the spreading disinformation, lies and hysteria middle of civil war, while with Kocharyan’s about the demarcation process, the Armenian election, the criminal-oligarchic system of opposition forces also are trying to use it to government reinforced by a militarized destabilize the internal situation in Armenia, dictatorship could be revived. As President Mirza İbrahimov 8, , AZ1005, Azerbaijan, Phone: (+994 12) 596-82-39, (+994 12) 596-82-41, E-mail: [email protected] www.aircenter.az

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weaken Pashinyan and eventually to come to which have a difficult mountainous terrain and power. climatic conditions, the Azerbaijani border forces are deployed in the positions of our In this context, in the late hours of May 12th, country. This process is carried out in the usual Acting Armenian Prime Minister Nikol mode and in a systematic manner," Pashinyan announced at the Security Council Azerbaijan`s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in meeting that Azerbaijani troops “crossed the a statement, adding that “since May 12, the border” in Syunik Region and advanced “three leadership of the State Border Service of the kilometers into Armenian territory”, claiming Republic of Azerbaijan has been sent to the that it was “encroachment on Armenia's area, negotiations are underway with the sovereign territory”. The baseless and border guards of the opposite side and provocative statements by the Armenian appropriate steps are being taken to normalize government that Azerbaijani troops advanced the situation." According the Ministry of into Armenian territory in two sections of the Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan: "Measures to state border - one in Syunik Region and the strengthen the border protection system other in Gegharkunik Region, resulted in the implemented within the territorial integrity of routine demarcation process being Azerbaijan are carried out on the basis of maps deliberately blown up way out of proportion. available to each of the sides that define the Azerbaijan rejected this claim. The Ministry of border line between Armenia and Azerbaijan. Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan rejected as Since regaining its independence, there has absolutely baseless 's complaint on 12 been no state border between the two May that Azerbaijani troops breached the countries for obvious reasons, and for this state border and advanced several kilometers reason we speak about the complicated into Armenia's territory. “We recommend that technical process, which is currently the political and military circles of Armenia not accompanied by disagreements between the be alarmed, accept the reality of the interstate sides. It is surprising that the Armenian side border regime along the Zangilan, Gubadli, reacted inadequately to this process and made Lachin and Kalbajar regions of Azerbaijan and provocative statements. We believe that not unreasonably aggravate the situation in attempts by official circles to use this issue for the region," the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of political purposes in connection with the pre- Azerbaijan said in a statement on 13 May, election situation in Armenia are adding that “such cases can and should be unacceptable". resolved through mutual contacts between In the meantime, on May 14th, Armenia took the military on both sides”. The Ministry of another provocative step to undermine the Foreign Affairs called for resolving problems peace and stability in the region and referred through mutual contacts and said that this issue to the Collective Security Treaty attempts by Yerevan's official circles to exploit Organization (CSTO). Yerevan appealed to the the matter for political purposes ahead of the Russian-led Collective Security Treaty parliamentary election in Armenia were Organisation (CSTO) despite the fact that unacceptable.” According to the trilateral Moscow has already been mediating between statement signed on November 10, 2020, with the sides to settle the border delimitation the improvement of weather conditions in the issue. Armenia's appeal to the CSTO on this settlements of the liberated Lachin and issue was nothing but an attempt by the Kalbajar regions bordering with Armenia, Mirza İbrahimov 8, Baku, AZ1005, Azerbaijan, Phone: (+994 12) 596-82-39, (+994 12) 596-82-41, E-mail: [email protected] www.aircenter.az

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Armenian authorities to politicize the issue. In on border issues over the last months. The response, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ministry of Foreign Affairs also accused third Azerbaijan held several actors of exaggerating this technical issue with telephone conversations with Russian Foreign provocative statements and a smear campaign Minister , with Acting Assistant against Azerbaijan. “Such a destructive Secretary of State for European and Eurasian approach only serves to increase tensions,” Affairs Philip Reeker and with the French the Ministry of Foreign Affairs underscored. Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean- The Minister of Foreign Affairs Jeyhun Yves Le Drian. Minister Bayramov informed Bayramov had telephone conversations with them about the measures taken to strengthen Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, US the border with Armenia and stressed the Acting Assistant Secretary of State for inadmissibility of exaggeration and European and Eurasian Affairs Philip Reeker, politicization of such cases. Secretary-General of the European External Touching upon this issue, President Ilham Action Service Stefano Sannino, OSCE Aliyev noted that Armenia's appeal to the Chairperson-in-Office Ann Linde stressing the CSTO over the ongoing border delimitation importance of resolving tensions through process was totally baseless. President Ilham political and diplomatic means and the Aliyev made the remarks in a telephone inadmissibility of exaggeration and conversation with Kazakh President Kasym- politicization of such cases. Minister of Foreign Zhomart Tokayev on May 17th. "Azerbaijani Affairs Jeyhun Bayramov also warned French President noted that currently the process of Minister of Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean- demarcation of the border is underway, and Yves Le Drian against politicizing the recent the Armenian side demonstrates inadequate border tensions between Baku and Yerevan. reaction to this process. Armenia's appeal to The French foreign minister's phone call the Collective Security Treaty Organization in followed soon after President Emanuel this regard is nothing but an attempt to Macron's pro-Armenian Facebook post, in internationalize the issue, and it is completely which he blamed Baku for the recent border unfounded, there have been no clashes on the tensions around the Lake Garagol on the border, the situation is stable, negotiations are border between Azerbaijan's Lachin District underway" the report of the telephone and Gegharkunik Region of Armenia and called conversation stated. for the immediate pullout of the troops from the area. In a statement on 16 May, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan described the In another statement, the Ministry of Foreign situation as a technical matter which was part Affairs of Azerbaijan responded the of border demarcation and delimitation international calls for the withdrawal of the process and stressed that disagreements Azerbaijani border troops from a part of Lachin should be resolved through negotiations. District around the Lake Garagol and advised "Armenia and Azerbaijan have newly emerged the concerned parties to recall the occupation from the war and successful border of Azerbaijani lands until November 2020, demarcation and delimitation are key to peace before voicing concerns about sovereign and security," the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Armenian territory. The illegal occupation of noted, pointing out that the sides had already Azerbaijani land at the core of the tension on settled via negotiations several disagreements the border, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said, Mirza İbrahimov 8, Baku, AZ1005, Azerbaijan, Phone: (+994 12) 596-82-39, (+994 12) 596-82-41, E-mail: [email protected] www.aircenter.az

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adding that Azerbaijan is only restoring its this. We stand ready to assist them in violated territorial integrity. providing cartographic material and consultations. Not a single shot was fired. No Recalling that the State Border Service of the skirmishes took place. We sat down and Republic of Azerbaijan could not launch the started talking calmly about how to defuse this delimitation and demarcation of the border on situation. They asked for assistance. Our this segment earlier due to the harsh seasonal military provided it. An agreement has been climate conditions, the statement said “now reached. I see no reason to stoke emotions Azerbaijan is strengthening security on the with regard to an issue that has been settled in border, and this is being done on the basis of a calm manner,” Lavrov said at a news maps available to Baku and Yerevan. conference in Moscow on May 17th. Azerbaijan respects the sovereignty of the borders, territorial integrity and inviolability”. On May 17th, US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan spoke separately with President Commenting on provocative statements from Ilham Aliyev and Armenian Acting Prime third actors, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Minister to discuss the Azerbaijan said that border demarcation and ongoing tension on the Azerbaijani-Armenian delimitation was a bilateral process to be border. President Ilham Aliyev stated that carried out by Azerbaijan and Armenia. “It Azerbaijan is committed to ensuring peace and would be better for third countries to study stability in the region. President Ilham Aliyev the situation comprehensively before making agreed with the US President's National statements,” the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Security Adviser on the need for commencing said, adding that “Armenia and Azerbaijan talks on the delimitation of the international have just emerged from war, therefore border between Azerbaijan and Armenia, and successful border demarcation and stressed the importance of this process to be delimitation will play a key role in ensuring conducted in accordance with the trilateral peace and security,” adding that “over the statement dated November 10, 2020. recent months, there have been President Ilham Aliyev noted that Armenia's disagreements between the parties on border inadequate response to border tensions and issues, all resolved through negotiations attempts to internationalize the issue could between the parties to the tripartite lead to increased tensions in the region, and statement. We believe that such stressed the importance of peacefully disagreements should be resolved by political resolving all disputes within the negotiation and diplomatic means”. process. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has also In the meantime, the diplomatic efforts to said that there was "no reason to stoke resolve the issue continued. On May 19th, emotions" with regard to the ongoing border Russian President Vladimir Putin and President dispute between Azerbaijan and Armenia. Ilham Aliyev discussed the border crisis over “After this incident occurred, Azerbaijan phone. It was said that the crisis should be issued statements explaining the incident by a resolved through diplomacy and Moscow misunderstanding, and most importantly, by would “continue its mediation efforts and the absence of a delimited and demarcated provide advisory assistance aimed at reaching border. Nobody there ever thought about it. an agreement between Azerbaijan and We suggested that the parties start working on Armenia on launching the process of Mirza İbrahimov 8, Baku, AZ1005, Azerbaijan, Phone: (+994 12) 596-82-39, (+994 12) 596-82-41, E-mail: [email protected] www.aircenter.az

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delimitation and demarcation of the state Armenian soldier was killed in an exchange of border”. Earlier on the same day, Russian fire with Azerbaijani troops in Gegharkunik Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said that Region. The Ministry of Defence of Azerbaijan Moscow had offered to create and mediate a denied any role in the Armenian soldier's joint Armenian-Azerbaijani commission for death, adding that the Armenian soldier had settling the ongoing border dispute. As the been killed in an accident which had nothing to critical guarantor of the peace and security in do with the Azerbaijani side. The Ministry of the region, Russia urged the sides to resolve all Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan, in a separate issues through political-diplomatic means. statement, accused Armenia of an attempt to Russian Foreign Ministry statement use an incident within its armed forces to underscored that “Russia is ready to offer full aggravate the situation at the border. "We call support for the normalization of the situation on the Armenian side not to aggravate the in the South Caucasus.” Russian Foreign situation with false statements, and to hold Minister Sergey Lavrov’s visit to Azerbaijan and constructive talks to resolve disagreements on Armenia, and Russian MFA’s statement sent an this and other issues," the statement said. On important signal that Russia is not interested May 26th, Nikol Pashinyan said in parliament in any regional escalations, thus proposing to that Yerevan was not "satisfied with the speed create a joint commission for the demarcation of the CSTO actions" and that Armenia could of the state border. On May 20th, Armenian appeal to the UN Security Council. Interim Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has The situation was further escalated on May announced he is going to sign a new document 27th, when the Ministry of Defence of on establishing a joint commission with Azerbaijan announced that it arrested six Azerbaijan for the demarcation and members of Armenian subversive delimitation of the state border. reconnaissance group who crossed into At the same time, in another sign of deep Azerbaijan's Kalbajar District and were political turmoil in Armenia, acting Armenian planting mines on the supply routes of the Foreign Minister has tendered Azerbaijani army. While admitting that the his resignation, announcing his decision in a Armenian soldiers were indeed planting Facebook post. The move came after Prime mines, Pashinyan claimed that the procedures Minister Nikol Pashinyan said that Armenia were conducted along the border and “inside was going to sign a border deal with the Armenian territory”. In turn, the Ministry Azerbaijan. Ayvazyan was appointed as foreign of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan pointed out minister amid the ongoing political crisis in the that Armenia is pursuing a purposeful policy of country sparked by Armenia's defeat in the increasing tensions at the border. On May 28, Second Karabakh War late last year. He the Ministry of Defence of Azerbaijan reported became the second foreign minister to resign that an Azerbaijani soldier had been wounded (after ) following the in a ceasefire violation in the exclave of signing of the tripartite agreement in Nakhchivan on the Armenian border. The November 2020. incident happened as Armenian troops opened fire at Azerbaijani positions in several Meanwhile, the dangerous and irresponsible directions near the village of Ashaghy Buzqov provocations by Armenia on the border with in Nakhchivan’s Babak District in the night Azerbaijan continued. On May 25th, the leading to 28 May. "We state that Armenia is Armenian Defence Ministry claimed that Mirza İbrahimov 8, Baku, AZ1005, Azerbaijan, Phone: (+994 12) 596-82-39, (+994 12) 596-82-41, E-mail: [email protected] www.aircenter.az

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fully responsible for causing relative tension itself and in its current iteration is not on the Nakhchivan section of the Armenian- politically important. The acting prime minister Azerbaijani border. We are calling on the of Armenia is also torpedoing the trilateral Armenian side to refrain from committing format, which implies the final resolution of provocation and taking other steps that could the conflict, that is, the mutual recognition of cause tension and to behave responsibly," the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan and Armenia, Ministry of Defence of Azerbaijan said. the opening of communications and obligations to resolve issues exclusively At a Security Council meeting on May 27th, through political and diplomatic means. Nikol Pashinyan announced that “since the situation has reached this dangerous point, I As Shahmar Hajiyev, senior advisor at the AIR am putting forward an open proposal to the Center, put it, “the recent incidents around the international community and the Azerbaijani Sev Lidj (Qaragol) in the Syunik region leadership. What I am proposing is that we (Zangezur in Azerbaijani) have raised the should agree that military subdivisions of the importance of the full delimitation and two sides are moving back from the border... demarcation of the state border between We are proposing that armed forces of the two Armenia and Azerbaijan. It is worth noting that sides return to their initial positions.” He Syunik/Zangezur region is a very important added that international observers from region in terms of regional economic Russia or the OSCE Minsk Group member integration, and according to the 9th section of states could be deployed at the Armenian- the November Agreement all economic and Azerbaijani border “for the both sides to be transport links in the region must be restored, sure that none of the sides will bring troops and Armenia guarantees the safety of close to the border”. Then works can start to transport links between the western regions of demarcate the border between Armenia and Azerbaijan and the Nakhchivan Autonomous Azerbaijan “under international sponsorship”, Republic of Azerbaijan”. According to Shahmar he said. He said that the situation at the border Hajiyev, “the border problems between was “explosive” because Armenian and Azerbaijan and Armenia will be key challenges Azerbaijani troops were standing face to face to security and sustainable peace if there for two weeks. “This is an official neighboring states cannot sign an agreement proposal to Russia, the OSCE Minsk Group co- for the demarcation /delimitation of the two chair countries and the Azerbaijani countries’ borders. Today, seven villages of leadership,” Pashinyan added. Through its Gazakh district and one village of Sadarak actions, the Armenian government effectively district of Nakhchivan AR are still under confirms its unwillingness to relinquish control Armenian control. Azerbaijan wants to restore over Azerbaijan's border territories it occupied its territorial integrity within its internationally during the hostilities in 1991-1994. Pashinyan recognized borders. Armenia must understand even claimed that Armenia would not sign a that the peaceful coexistence of Azerbaijani document on demarcation, if Azerbaijan did and Armenian people in the Karabakh region is not withdraw its troops from its positions, that a priority of the Azerbaijani government. is Azerbaijan’s own territories. At the same Carrying out propaganda against Azerbaijan time, it is obvious that Armenia is trying to and preventing the commencement of the make the OSCE Minsk Group relevant again, demarcation/delimitation will only damage although the group has completely outlived the peace process. The long-term solution to

Mirza İbrahimov 8, Baku, AZ1005, Azerbaijan, Phone: (+994 12) 596-82-39, (+994 12) 596-82-41, E-mail: [email protected] www.aircenter.az

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the Armenia-Azerbaijan border dispute is the and geopolitical dynamics, which want to mutual recognition of territorial integrity and hinder this process as long as possible and support to this issue by the whole prevent the durable peace, stability, and international community”. prosperity from becoming the dominant themes in the region. Drawing attention of

Armenia's foreign backers to Yerevan's non- II. Azerbaijan is transforming the constructive approach to the final resolution of region after the war the conflict, President Ilham Aliyev noted that “no-one can put pressure on us. No-one can On May 20th, President Ilham Aliyev said that influence us. Certain pro-Armenian countries Baku was “ready to start working on a peace and circles are making some statements these agreement with Armenia,” adding that a peace days. Let them make them, it is their own deal can be "achieved in a relatively short business… I don't even pay attention to that”. period of time". President Ilham Aliyev Despite these obstacles, Azerbaijan is upbeat reaffirmed Azerbaijan’s position by tweeting about the future of the region and Azerbaijan’s on May 21st that Baku “is ready to work on a foreign policy is focused on fundamentally peace agreement with Armenia" that will transforming the region to make Pax Caucasia recognize both countries' territorial integrity. a reality, which is the only forward for the “We hope that there will be more clarity with South Caucasus. regard to this issue after the ,” President Ilham Aliyev said on his President Ilham Aliyev has urged the United official Twitter account on May 22nd. For its States to persuade Armenia to sign a peace part, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of agreement with Baku following the recent Azerbaijan has also called on Armenia "to Karabakh war. President Ilham Aliyev made normalize relations on the basis of the the remarks at a video conference titled principles of international law to which it "South Caucasus: Prospects for regional refers and to show constructiveness in development and cooperation" on May 20th. resolving any differences". At a special session “As I said before, we are ready to start working of the OSCE Permanent Council on 25 May, the on [a] peace agreement with Armenia. I think Minister of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan the United States can use its potential to Jeyhun Bayramov spoke about an opportunity persuade Armenia that this is the only way to normalize relations between Azerbaijan and how to move forward,” President Ilham Aliyev Armenia on the basis of respect for each said. President Ilham Aliyev also suggested other's sovereignty, territorial integrity and that the three South Caucasus countries could the inviolability of internationally-recognized cooperate in a trilateral format. “Until now we borders. had relations with Georgia, Armenia had relations with Georgia, and [there have been] It is clear that Azerbaijan wants to normalize no relations, no cooperation between its relations with Armenia based on the Azerbaijan and Armenia. Maybe now it's time principles of territorial integrity and to... see whether it's possible to have kind of a inviolability of internationally recognized trilateral format of cooperation. We are ready borders. However, it is also clear that there are for that,” the president said. some external actors, greatly concerned by Azerbaijan’s leadership and its ability to single- President Ilham Aliyev also said that Baku is handedly change the regional geo-economic willing to boost relations with the United Mirza İbrahimov 8, Baku, AZ1005, Azerbaijan, Phone: (+994 12) 596-82-39, (+994 12) 596-82-41, E-mail: [email protected] www.aircenter.az

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States: “We are ready to work closely as chamber is expected to boost the export of strategic partners to expand our cooperation. Azerbaijani products to the United Kingdom. And I think that the US can play a very President Ilham Aliyev had received Stuart on important role in post-conflict development in May 21st. President Ilham Aliyev said he was the region.” “We are ready for the [Biden] confident that Stuart's visit would step up administration to be fully established and to bilateral relations. The president said there have more clear messages how they want to was “very active political dialogue, also big build their relations with us,” the president prospects in economic area” between the two added. "We have very diversified relations countries, adding that the UK had invested [with the United States] ... but we want to more than 30bn dollars in Azerbaijan. “It's a lot diversify them even more, particularly to cover and it helped us to develop. It helped us to the area of modern technologies, trade - the develop not only in oil industry and gas level of mutual trade is still very low, and other industry but general development,” the issues," President Ilham Aliyev noted. president noted. President Ilham Aliyev also President Aliyev has also noted that Baku said that BP had been Azerbaijan's strategic expects to obtain military equipment from the partner for 30 years and would remain such for United States now that the conflict between at least another 30 years. “Because there are Azerbaijan and Armenia is settled. There is no new prospects, and new agreements have reason why Azerbaijan shouldn't have been signed,” the president underscored defence-industrial cooperation with the explained. “We want to expand cooperation United States. “We want to get access to with British companies, as companies from a American weapons. Previously, we did not friendly country,” President Ilham Aliyev have such an opportunity due to the conflict added. Stuart also pointed out that the United with Armenia. But now, after the end of the Kingdom was “pleased and privileged to be a conflict, we expect to be able to do it," the close partner with Azerbaijan and work for so president said. Baku is also satisfied with US many years”. support for Azerbaijan's energy projects, President Ilham Aliyev has also praised Baku's Minister of Foreign Affairs Jeyhun Bayramov relations with the European Union, said that a told a meeting with a delegation of the Caspian new bilateral agreement has already been Policy Centre (CPC), an independent, a non- agreed 90 percent, and expressed optimism profit research think tank based in Washington about further cooperation with the EU during DC, adding that the large-scale energy projects the video conference “South Caucasus: contribute to regional development and Prospects for Regional Development and constant US support for them is vital. Cooperation” on May 20th. “We are working In May, the United Kingdom has opened a on a new agreement between Azerbaijan and chamber of commerce in Baku. The opening the European Union... More than 90 percent of ceremony was attended by Britain's the agreement has already been agreed,” the parliamentary under-secretary of state at the president said, explaining that negotiations Department for International Trade, Graham had been interrupted by the Covid-19 Stuart, and the British ambassador in Baku, pandemic and then the Second Karabakh War. James Sharp. It was said at the ceremony that “I hope that soon we will resume the active the UK continues to remain one of the largest phase of the final stage of negotiations,” investors in Azerbaijan. The opening of the President Ilham Aliyev added.

Mirza İbrahimov 8, Baku, AZ1005, Azerbaijan, Phone: (+994 12) 596-82-39, (+994 12) 596-82-41, E-mail: [email protected] www.aircenter.az

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The EU can play a very important role in post- creation of this corridor and restoration of war development in the region. “We would transport links as it considers cooperation to like to see more active cooperation between be the main tool for creating sustainable peace the EU and Azerbaijan,” the president said, in the region. Baku has reiterated its adding that he had “very promising determination and willpower to further expectations about our cooperation”. “The strengthen the state border with Armenia to completion of the Southern Gas Corridor prevent fresh provocations. Azerbaijan has creates new opportunities for our cooperation also made clear that the issue of delimitation with the European Union because Azerbaijan and demarcation of the borders between [has] already started to play an important role Azerbaijan and Armenia will be resolved and in the European Union's energy security,” the the Zangazur Corridor will be opened. president noted. On May 30th, during his meeting with a President Ilham Aliyev also praised current delegation led by Turkish Minister of Transport relations with the EU, saying that Baku highly and Infrastructure Adil Karaismailoglu, appreciates the role that the European Union President Ilham Aliyev noted that “in the early plays in the region. “The European Union and stages after the war, Armenia protested at this Azerbaijan... are close partners on issues issue. However, I have recently been informed related to energy security,” he said. “The EU that the Armenian side is already properly was always a good partner of Azerbaijan. The analyzing the issues related to the inevitability EU is our main trading partner," the president of this corridor. As you know, discussions are added and also said that most of Azerbaijan's now taking place in a trilateral format. This exports went to EU member countries. issue is being discussed within the working President Ilham Aliyev also pointed out that group at the level of Deputy Prime Ministers of Baku had signed or adopted strategic Azerbaijan, Russia and Armenia, and there are partnership documents with a third of EU good results. We have already started the member states and this showed that “we are construction of a railway from Horadiz to the good partners and strategic partners”. Armenian border in the liberated lands. I am confident that in the next two years, maybe The president then went on to express his two and a half years, this railway will be fully hope that Armenia would enable a new railway operational. Most of the Nakhchivan railway is to be built via its territory to Europe, in operational and the remaining part will be addition to the existing Baku-Tbilisi-Kars built as well. All instructions have been issued. railroad. “Hopefully, if Armenia does not put A significant part of the Zangazur corridor must artificial obstacles, we can also have another be built in Armenia. Thus, a new corridor will railroad connection through the territory of be opened and this connection between Armenia so Armenia can also be a part of a Turkey and Azerbaijan will become even regional development program that will give stronger.” additional opportunities for security,” President Ilham Aliyev underscored. During his brief trip to the Nakhchivan exclave on May 10th, President Ilham Aliyev The establishment of the Zangazur corridor is inaugurated a military airport and a central one the core elements of the signed military hospital among other new facilities. documents between Azerbaijan, Russia and The president praised the Nakhchivan Army Armenia. Azerbaijan is fully committed to the saying it was equipped with state-of-the-art Mirza İbrahimov 8, Baku, AZ1005, Azerbaijan, Phone: (+994 12) 596-82-39, (+994 12) 596-82-41, E-mail: [email protected] www.aircenter.az

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weapons and military hardware. President already been resolved, President Ilham Aliyev Ilham Aliyev said that part of those weapons reiterated that "the Karabakh conflict has been had been used and commando troops of the resolved, Azerbaijan has resolved this conflict Nakhchivan Army had fought in the Second itself both in the battlefield and at the Karabakh war. Speaking about the capabilities negotiating table. The victory won in the of the Nakhchivan Army, President Ilham battlefield forced the enemy to raise the white Aliyev especially stressed the successful flag, surrender, and sign the act of surrender. military operation to regain the village of The document signed on 10 November is an Gunnut and several strategic heights in Sharur act of Armenia's surrender". District carried out by the Nakhchivan In reaction to recent criticism of Azerbaijan by Separate Combined Arms Army in 2018. France and Canada, President Ilham Aliyev "These heights give us full control over described their treatment of the issue as strategic communication lines [in Armenia], unacceptable. The president also rejected a including the road connecting Armenia and statement by the French Foreign Ministry on Nagorno-Karabakh. During the Second the Baku Military Trophy Park, pointing out the Karabakh War, the control we had over this "skulls of slain leaders of the Algerian national road helped us obtain a large amount of resistance movement" in a French museum. information. The opposite side knows that these communications that we control can be The president added that there was no cut off any time and surely, they must take territorial unit called Nagorno-Karabakh on the steps bearing this in mind," President Ilham territory of Azerbaijan. "As for what some Aliyev said. The president also warned politicians say about the status of Nagorno- revanchist forces in Armenia. "If they move Karabakh, it means they are talking about a from statements to any practical actions, they non-existent structure. I also said that if will be destroyed immediately. No-one will someone wants to give the Armenians living defend them. Let them not count on anyone," on our territory a status, I do not mind, but let President Ilham Aliyev said. "If we see even the him choose a good place for them in their own tiniest threat, we will immediately destroy countries. These places have long been them." captured by the Armenian diaspora. Let them give them autonomy or independence there, The president said that he had also visited the but not in Azerbaijan. This will not happen in Ordubad railway station as part of his Azerbaijan irrespective of who says what," the Nakhchivan trip. President Ilham Aliyev said president emphasized. "The conflict has found that a 15-16 km railway would be built from its solution, and I believe that it is pointless to Ordubad to the Armenian border, which would return to this question. In any case, we have link mainland Azerbaijan to Nakhchivan shown this in the period after the war. First, if through a 40-km Zangezur corridor and further someone believes that the Nagorno-Karabakh to Turkey. "I can say with confidence that the conflict has not been resolved, this is his own railway corridor will open. No-one should problem. Second, this is a very dangerous doubt this," President Ilham Aliyev noted. approach. If this conflict is not resolved, what In response to a question on the need to should be the settlement of this conflict?" resolve the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict as President Ilham Aliyev wondered. voiced by some external actors amid the president's statement that the conflict has Mirza İbrahimov 8, Baku, AZ1005, Azerbaijan, Phone: (+994 12) 596-82-39, (+994 12) 596-82-41, E-mail: [email protected] www.aircenter.az

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20 days after the end of the war, Armenia sent Speaking at a press conference in Baku troops to Azerbaijan. As a result of the terrorist following talks with his Russian counterpart acts committed by those servicemen, four Sergey Lavrov on May 11, Minister of Foreign Azerbaijani soldiers were killed and one civilian Affairs of Azerbaijan Jeyhun Bayramov said was injured. Apparently, the fate of 62 that Baku had implemented its part of the Armenian saboteurs and terrorists greatly November peace agreement. The minister worries Paris and Ottawa; however, the same pointed out that Azerbaijan had released all politicians, for some reason, do not extend Armenian POWs, handed 1,600 dead that empathy to the Azerbaijani soldiers shot Armenian soldiers over to Yerevan, and and killed by the same saboteurs sent by allowed Armenia to use a road passing through Armenia after the declaration of the ceasefire. Azerbaijani territory. The minister pointed out During the war, Armenia fired at Azerbaijani that Armenia does not show constructive cities with lethal missiles, destroyed entire approach, hinders the implementation of the neighborhoods in Ganja and Barda, located agreements, causes unnecessary tension and 100 km from the theatre of war. About 100 torpedoes the peace process, adding that were killed, more than 400 civilians were Armenia is refusing to provide maps of wounded, including children, elderly and minefields, which is tantamount to war crime, women. For some reason, however, all of this and is refusing to provide information of about does not bother France, Canada and other 4,000 who went missing during Western actors who prefer to ignore the first Karabakh war in the early 1990s. Armenia’s provocations and do not dare to condemn Armenia for such actions. However, they are ready to lecture and urge Baku to III. Azerbaijan continues to rebuild meet the “demands” of the Armenian Karabakh government without calling on Yerevan to pull On May 28, President Ilham Aliyev attended out all its servicemen illegally remaining on the ceremony to lay foundation stone for territory of Karabakh. Moreover, about 4,000 restoration of Aghdam city. During the Azerbaijanis went missing during the first war ceremony, President Ilham Aliyev noted that of 1991-94. Armenia has not yet provided “the development plan of the city has already information about these people and has also been fully developed, and it meets modern refused to provide maps of minefields of the standards and requirements. The entire liberated regions. However, we have not seen Karabakh zone will become a “green energy” the same level of concern from these actors zone. All cities will be built on the basis of a when it comes to the actions of the Armenian “smart city” concept”. As Dr. Esmira Jafarova government over its three-decade-long puts it, “Azerbaijan is bent on carrying out the occupation or condemnation towards reconstruction work in its liberated territories, Armenia’s violation of human rights of the and the idea is to rebuild those territories as Azerbaijani population. If France and Canada “smart” cities and villages”. The main goal is to want to take an objective approach towards utilize technology integration and smart green this issue, they could urge Armenia to abide by solutions as the way to achieve a sustainable its obligations under international development of the region. In this vein, one of humanitarian law and refrain from actions that the key tasks of the government in the could endanger lasting peace in the region. restoration process is to provide energy

Mirza İbrahimov 8, Baku, AZ1005, Azerbaijan, Phone: (+994 12) 596-82-39, (+994 12) 596-82-41, E-mail: [email protected] www.aircenter.az

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security to the liberated territories and create different areas were established. Initially, $2.2 a “Green Energy Zone”. Thus, priority will be billion is planned to be allocated in the 2021 given to the use of renewable energy sources. budget for the restoration process. The first It is estimated that liberated territories have steps taken in the restoration process have more than 4,000 Mw of solar and up to 500 been the construction of roads, highways, Mw of wind energy potential. The process of airports, and other transport links. The developing a green energy zone has already construction of the Aghdam Industrial Park, begun. In May, the Energy Ministry of Barda-Agdam highway and 121-hectare forest Azerbaijan and the Japanese company TEPSCO at the entrance of Aghdam have also been have signed as agreement on the creation of a launched. Reconstruction of transport green energy zone in the liberated territories. networks and establishment of airports in the Establishing green energy zones and smart liberated territories will create a favorable cities and villages will create substantial environment for the full usage of the tourism opportunities for sustainable economic potential of Karabakh while establishing green growth in Karabakh. energy zones and smart cities will boost economic growth in the region. The three-decade-long occupation have resulted in massive destruction in Karabakh. Armenia has almost completely destroyed the IV. Reintegrating Karabakh’s existing infrastructure in the occupied Armenian population into the rest territories, razing most of the cities and of Azerbaijan villages to the ground. Aghdam faced the most extreme destruction and was dubbed the In a new reality that emerged after the Second “Hiroshima of the Caucasus.” According to the Karabakh War, the concepts of "Azerbaijani UN estimates, the total economic damage of community of the Nagorno-Karabakh region" the occupation was around $53.5 billion. and "Armenian community of the Nagorno- According to the Military Prosecutor’s Office of Karabakh region" have lost their relevance, Azerbaijan, if all the material and along with the administrative-territorial unit environmental destruction is taken into "Nagorno-Karabakh" and the issue of its account, the total damage that Azerbaijan is status, which, in turn, led to the public faced with is about $819 billion. With the end association "Azerbaijani community of the of the occupation, Azerbaijan now aims to fully Nagorno-Karabakh region of the Republic of revive the liberated territories. Despite the Azerbaijan" to dissolve itself. The community fact that the scale of the devastation makes was established in 2006 in order to unite the economic recovery process complex and hundreds of thousands of Azerbaijanis time-consuming, Azerbaijan wants to ethnically cleansed from Karabakh by Armenia transform the liberated territories into areas in the 1990s. However, after the war, the of high-tech development. Thus, immediately institution of the community has lost its after the war, the plan for socio-economic purpose and significance. The decision to development of the liberated territories was dissolve the community also carries political prepared and the reconstruction process has implications since Azerbaijan regards the started. For the efficient organization of the Armenian population of Karabakh as its own recovery process “Coordination citizens and contrary to the chauvinistic Headquarters” and 17 working groups on platform of the Armenian revanchist forces

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fundamentally rejects the ultranationalist idea country during both Soviet times and the years of the ethnic incompatibility of the two of occupation, and they continue to do so even peoples. Like all national minorities living in today. The fate of Karabakh Armenians should our multinational country, Armenians will be no different from now on. As the President freely live in Azerbaijan as individual citizens. of Azerbaijan, Mr. Ilham Aliyev, has repeatedly Azerbaijan is confident that it will smoothly stated, Azerbaijan views the Armenian reintegrate Armenians living in Karabakh into population of Karabakh as its citizens and is its own political, social, and economic ready to do its best to facilitate their environment and grant them the same rights reintegration into Azerbaijani society. A and freedoms as all citizens of Azerbaijan. The message of reintegration and related efforts liberation of Azerbaijani territories creates are currently prevalent in Azerbaijan’s post- conditions for the protection of the rights of conflict rehabilitation works. Nevertheless, hundreds of thousands of internally displaced Azerbaijanis are also mindful that this is a persons to a safe and dignified return to their delicate process and should happen with due homes and the government has already begun regard to sensitivities on the part of both to take practical measures to restore the Armenians and Azerbaijanis. Emotional and territories, ensure the safe and dignified return other related challenges to this process of the displaced population, and peaceful notwithstanding, Azerbaijan strongly believes coexistence within the frameworks of the in the irreversibility of this process and is territorial integrity and sovereignty of determined to make things work”. Azerbaijan. Going forward, the community will focus its activities on being conducive to the return of Azerbaijanis to their historical lands, V. Azerbaijan to put foreign terrorist which will be implemented under a new fighters on trial association, called “Qarabağa dönüş” (Return In May, the State Security Service of the to Karabakh) and led by the former Head of the Republic of Azerbaijan completed an Azerbaijani Community of the Nagorno- investigation and sent an indictment to a court Karabakh region and Member of Azerbaijani regarding the Lebanese citizen, Vigen Parliament representing Khankendi city Tural Abraham Euljekchyan. Euljekchyan had fought Ganjaliyev. as a mercenary in the Second Karabakh War on As Dr. Esmira Jafarova, a Board Member at the Armenia’s side. On September 29, Vigen Center of Analysis of International Relations Euljekchyan accepted a proposal from another (AIR Center), puts it, “the restoration of Lebanese citizen, Ovak Kikeyan (or Hovak Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity, Kikeyan), to fight in the war as a mercenary for reconstruction work, and reconciliation efforts 2,500 dollars. On the same day, Euljekchyan with Armenia are also intended to happen in together with other people, as an organized parallel with the reintegration of Karabakh’s group, crossed the border into Azerbaijan from Armenian population into the rest of Armenian territory and arrived in areas where Azerbaijan. Azerbaijan declared from the there were other mercenaries. Euljekchyan outset that it sees the Armenian population of and other militants who were hired as Karabakh as its own citizens and will do its mercenaries also participated in terrorist utmost for their reintegration. Azerbaijani activities against Azerbaijani citizens and army citizens of Armenian origin resided in the with the use of weapons. Euljekchyan has been

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charged under several articles of Azerbaijan's veteran referred to as “Vardan” and a 28-year- Criminal Code - a mercenary's participation in old French citizen Sipan Muradyan. a military conflict or a military operation; Information on Marc de Cacqueray-Valmenier, terrorism; and illegal crossing of Azerbaijan's French citizen participating in military training state border. In January, Azerbaijan indicted by the Armenian military forces was two Lebanese, one Syrian and one Russian disseminated by “Libération” news agency. A citizen for fighting on the Armenian side in the photograph published on social media by Marc Second Karabakh war. de Cacqueray-Valmenier, a notorious neo-Nazi and the leader of the far-right group Zouaves The AIR Center has previously published Paris (ZVP), verified his presence in the extensive reports on the use of foreign fighters occupied territories of Azerbaijan. The and mercenaries by Armenia against Armenian diaspora organizations widely Azerbaijan during the Second Karabakh War. disseminated the calls to join military There is ample evidence that foreign fighters operations among their members. Among (citizens of France, Russia, and Georgia) as well those who joined the military trainings were as mercenaries were deployed by the citizens of Australia, Belarus, Belgium, Brazil, Armenian side. Armenian diaspora Canada, Cyprus, Denmark, Egypt, France, organizations played a critical role in the Greece, India, Jordan, Lebanon, Mexico, the Second Karabakh War, contributing Russian Federation, Spain, Sweden, Ukraine manpower and financing to Armenian army. and the U.S. For instance, despite the fact that Armenian organizations all over the world the Article 208(2) of the Criminal Code of circulated ads for the recruitment of military Russian Federation prohibits the participation forces, and one such organization named of its citizens in an armed force that is not VoMA (short for Armenian “Ողջ Մնալ ու ordained by a federal law, and states that such Արվեստ” – “the art of staying alive”), actions may carry up to five years in prison, the operating in Yerevan, launched accelerated head of the “Armenian Union of Russia” military training courses with the aim of (“Союз армян России”) Ara Abramyan on establishing a mountain rifle battalion under 28th of September 2020 announced that 20 the command of the Ministry of Defense of thousand Russian Armenians were eager to Armenia. According to several media fight for the Armenian separatist regime in the agencies, an indeterminate number of French Karabakh region of Azerbaijan. As a result, on citizens joined the military operations against September 29th, members of Armenian Azerbaijan, among them a French Armenian by diaspora in Russia, including a few the name of Artur Oganisyan, who, in his representatives of the ARF Dashnaksutyun interview to Russian outlet “Новая газета” party, traveled from Sochi to Yerevan with the mentioned that he and his two brothers aim of joining military operations as arrived in Armenia, received automatic assault volunteers. Similar cases took place in several rifles without providing any identification or European states: according to the “Sputnik requiring any permissions, and were swiftly Hellas” news agency, at least 30-35 Greek added to the army. Such cases were also Armenians, as well as 10-15 ethnic Greeks highlighted by the “France24” news agency, departed for Armenia to join the military which published video materials validating the actions against Turkish armed forces. A similar stories of a number of volunteers heading to case was covered by the Spanish “El Armenia to join military action, among them a Confidencial” news agency. Additionally, an Mirza İbrahimov 8, Baku, AZ1005, Azerbaijan, Phone: (+994 12) 596-82-39, (+994 12) 596-82-41, E-mail: [email protected] www.aircenter.az

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information leak revealed that members of the treated and tortured Azerbaijanis. It was Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) from Syria and revealed that Alyosha Khosrovyan tortured 5 Iraq, as well as 1,500 Kurdish mercenaries Azerbaijanis during their captivity and joined the Armenian military. subjected them to cruel and inhumane treatment. Thus, a former soldier of the At the same time, an Armenian citizen, military unit N of the Ministry of Defense taken Mkrtchyan Ludwig Mkrtichovich, was charged prisoner in April 1994 was exposed to cruel with torturing Azerbaijani captives during the and inhumane treatment by Khosrovyan first Karabakh war in the early 1990s. The Alyosha Aramaisovich. During his illegal investigation established that, an Azerbaijani detention in one of the houses in Mysmina citizen taken hostage in July 1991 in a forest (Aghbulag) village, Khojavand district he was called "Ballija" near Khojaly city followed by forced to do heavy construction work of a unlawful restriction of liberty, and a civilian house for the so-called Minister of Defense of taken hostage in Tapgaragoyunlu village, the “Nagorno-Karabakh Republic” Babayan Goranboy district on September 13, 1999 and Samvel Andranikovich, and inflicted various brought to Yerevan city, the Republic of bodily injuries. Alyosha Khosrovyan also Armenia, who was detained in one of the demonstrated especial cruelty to soldiers of military units in the city and acted as an the , who were taken interpreter during the interrogation by the captives in 1993-1994 and illegally detained in Armenian special services, were tortured by the Shusha city prison. He tortured them by Mkrtchyan Ludwig Mkrtichovich, a citizen of exposing to regular beatings, starving, and the Republic of Armenia, born in 1969, who inflicting mental anguish and physical pain. upon prior conspiracy entered into criminal Alyosha Khosrovyan was detained by relations with a group of individuals servicemen of the Azerbaijani Armed Forces participating in the activities of the armed on October 3, 2020 while conducting groups consisting of nationalist Armenians reconnaissance operations in the territories of living in the Nagorno-Karabakh region, as well the Republic of Azerbaijan. On May 20, the as coming from the Republic of Armenia. The indictment on the criminal case was approved investigation also revealed that 11 Azerbaijani and sent to Baku Military Court for citizens taken captives, at different times were consideration. Hundreds of Azerbaijani beaten and exposed to various tortures in citizens, including children, women and the Khojavand and Aghdara districts, Shusha elderly, have been subjected to intolerable prison and Yerevan city. Struck by automatic torture while held in captivity and taken gunfire, a serviceman of the N military unit, hostage as a result of numerous crimes Defense Ministry, was killed. Ludwig committed against the Azerbaijani civilian Mkrtichyan was detained by the servicemen of population on the instructions of the Armenian the Azerbaijani Armed Forces on October 20, criminal leadership. 2020 in the territory of Malikjanli village, Fuzuli district. Investigative measures carried out also VI. Azerbaijan and Turkey deepen exposed the criminal acts by Khosrovyan military-technical cooperation Alyosha Aramaisovich, another citizen of the Azerbaijan and Turkey intend to step up Republic of Armenia, born in 1967, who military cooperation. The government plans together with Ludwig Mkrtichyan brutally Mirza İbrahimov 8, Baku, AZ1005, Azerbaijan, Phone: (+994 12) 596-82-39, (+994 12) 596-82-41, E-mail: [email protected] www.aircenter.az

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large increases in defence spending over the delegation included representatives of the next decade, actively investing in new military leading companies of Turkey's military- technologies and advancements in order to industrial complex: STM, Rocketsan, Havelsan, boost the capabilities of the Armed Forces. and ASELSAN. Minister of Defence Zakir After the war, President Ilham Aliyev has Hasanov highlighted successful bilateral underscored the government's determination military and military-technical cooperation to keep the army's combat readiness high and between the two countries which is improving supply it with the advanced weapon systems all the time. The sides discussed at the meeting to guarantee the country's territorial integrity important matters related to Azerbaijani- against all potential challenges. In parallel with Turkish bilateral military-technical acquiring advanced military technologies and cooperation and outlined ways of building more capable and innovative military, implementing new joint projects developed Azerbaijan seeks to upgrade its own defence- with the consideration of new ways and industrial base. Large-scale modernization and methods of conducting modern military procurement programs will be carried out in operations, in particular, combat experience this period, including the expansion of the gained in the Second Karabakh War. domestic defence sector in the longer term, as Turkey also plays an important role in helping domestic enterprises, for which government Azerbaijan to restore the liberated lands, support is strengthening, benefit from especially with the process of demining of technology transfer agreements tied to Karabakh. In May, Azerbaijan has purchased a defence import contracts. The increased new batch of engineering machinery and military spending will allow the government to equipment for mine-clearance operations in develop and strengthen its military-industrial liberated from Armenia’s occupation base. Upgrading the domestic defence- territories. On May 5, the Turkish Defence industrial base is a fundamental element of Ministry reported on its official Twitter Azerbaijan’s broader hedging strategy against account that seven pieces of mine-clearance future uncertainties. equipment have so far been delivered to In this context, cooperation with Turkey is Azerbaijan. Karabakh is one of the most mined particularly important for Azerbaijan. territories in the world, most of which were set President Ilham Aliyev has already emphasized up during Armenia’s three-decades-long that the goal of the government is to build a occupation of Karabakh. The international small model of the Turkish army in Azerbaijan, humanitarian law is clear about the prohibition which is one of the strongest armies in the of the indiscriminate use of landmines. world and second strongest in NATO, adding Unfortunately, Armenia continues to commit a that “our army should become stronger and war crime by refusing to hand over landmine more modern, and the model of the Turkish maps to Azerbaijan. As a result, Azerbaijani army is the most acceptable model to us, and civilians and troops continue to be killed and we will continue working jointly in this injured by those mines. Demining is a priority direction". On April 30th, Minister of Defense task for Azerbaijan. In order to achieve this of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Colonel General objective, new military units, new sapper and Zakir Hasanov met with the delegation led by engineering battalions of the Ministry of the Chairman of the Turkish Presidency of Defense of Azerbaijan and the State Agency for Defence Industries Ismail Demir. The Mine Action have been established after the

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war. At the same time, Azerbaijan purchased respond to the economic ramifications of the modern mine-clearance equipment from pandemic. The government actively supported Turkey, including remotely operated units – people and businesses hurt by the pandemic. robots and mine-clearing machines. In The socio-economic stimulus programs to limit December, the first group of Turkish sappers the negative economic spillover were rolled- and Turkish mine-clearance experts arrived in out swiftly. The government allocated a Azerbaijan to train their Azerbaijani stimulus package in the amount of more than counterparts. In February, Azerbaijan received $2 billion in order to support COVID-affected from Turkey 20 MEMATT mechanical demining households and businesses. machines for mine-clearance operations in Azerbaijan was one of the first 50 countries to Karabakh. join the WHO-led COVAX platform aimed at ensuring the fair and equitable distribution of Covid-19 vaccines to every country. Despite VII. Azerbaijan at the forefront of the the initial failure of the COVAX platform, fight against Covid-19 pandemic Azerbaijan swiftly moved forward with its own On 24-31 May, The World Health vaccination campaign. Azerbaijan has Organization’s (WHOs) decision-making body, launched its immunization campaign since World Health Assembly (WHA) met for its 74th mid-January 2021, using overwhelmingly session in a video format on theme: “Ending “Sinovac” vaccines and the rest AstraZeneca this pandemic, preventing the next: building and Sputnik vaccines. 2 million vaccine doses together a healthier, safer and fairer world”. At have already been administered, which the invitation of WHO Director-General Tedros constitutes 20 percent of the total population. Adhanom Ghebreyesus, President of the All the citizens above 18 years old can get Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev addressed vaccinated voluntarily and COVID-19 passports the Assembly. In his speech, President Ilham are issued for those vaccinated. Aliyev noted that Azerbaijan has been quite President Ilham Aliyev has repeatedly effective in tackling the spread of coronavirus underscored the significance of the joint fight by taking swift actions to minimize negative of the countries of the world against the impact of the COVID-19 on the population and coronavirus pandemic and close cooperation to keep the situation under control. The in this area. Azerbaijan has repeatedly voiced government has built 13 new modular its concerns over the actions of some countries hospitals for the treatment of coronavirus which purchase several times more vaccines patients and arranged the production of than their actual needs and deprive developing protective and other medical gears in a short countries from protecting their populations. time. In his March 2020 letter to President On behalf of the Non-Aligned Movement, Ilham Aliyev, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Azerbaijan initiated a resolution on ensuring Ghebreyesus, the Director-General of the equitable, universal access for all countries to World Health Organization (WHO), praised the vaccines in the UN Human Rights Council, measures taken by the government to fight the which was unanimously adopted in March coronavirus pandemic. 2021. As President Ilham Aliyev has noted, With public debt ratio of just below 50 percent “the persisting “vaccine nationalism” and of GDP, Baku has been successful in deepening inequality in access to vaccines instrumentalizing its strong fiscal position to between developing and developed countries Mirza İbrahimov 8, Baku, AZ1005, Azerbaijan, Phone: (+994 12) 596-82-39, (+994 12) 596-82-41, E-mail: [email protected] www.aircenter.az

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are disturbing. According to international of the heads of state and government in reports, so far, more than 82 percent of the December 2020 which was supported by more world’s vaccine doses have been purchased by than 150 States. Azerbaijan has also made wealthy countries, while only 0.3 percent have voluntary financial contributions to the World gone to low-income countries”. In its capacity, Health Organization in the amount of $10 as the chair of the Non-Aligned Movement, million and provided humanitarian and Azerbaijan has initiated a number of global financial assistance to more than 30 countries initiatives, in particular the holding of the with regard to coronavirus. Summit of the Non-Aligned Movement in May

2020, and convening the Special Session of the United Nations General Assembly at the level

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