“I was in Karabakh two days ago. There I saw the destructive consequences of the war. But at the same time, I also saw opportunities," Marijana Kujundzic, Head of the Delegation of the European Union to Azerbaijan, said at the event titled “Post-Conflict Urban Reconstruction: The Crucial Role of Humanitarian Demining Activities” held within the framework of WUF13, APA reports.
The ambassador stressed that she observed what is being built in Karabakh, what kind of work is being carried out, and how life is returning:
“The return of life is not an easy process. Demining is a very long process. But this work must be done, and the European Union is ready to help in this field. Alongside Azerbaijan’s own demining efforts, the EU is also providing its support. This is not only about the EU. Two years ago, the Team Europe approach was adopted. This means providing support to Azerbaijan through EU funds, member states’ funds and the resources of European financial institutions. The EU is creating conditions for the safe, dignified and voluntary return of internally displaced persons. At the same time, it is trying to ensure people’s safe access to natural resources.”
The diplomat stated that the EU’s work in the field of demining activities includes strengthening institutional capacity, training on explosive ordnance disposal, mine risk awareness, assistance to mine victims, and non-technical surveys: “The EU is also trying to incorporate a gender approach into this field. Within this framework, support was provided for the creation of the first female demining team in Azerbaijan. The EU has also implemented other projects here.”
