The mine problem remains a serious obstacle in the territories liberated from occupation. According to official data, more than 1.5 million mines and unexploded military ordnance are present in those territoriesç Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov said during his speech at the event titled “Cities at the Center of Connectivity: Urban Reconstruction and Regional Cooperation” held within the framework of the 13th session of the World Urban Forum (WUF13), APA reports.
According to the minister, this situation creates serious risks for reconstruction, agriculture, economic activity, and the safe return of people: “Therefore, mine clearance is one of Azerbaijan’s main priorities. Restoration means not only rebuilding infrastructure, but also developing economic and industrial zones, restoring economic opportunities, and ensuring long-term peace. New transport corridors, railways, highways, energy infrastructure, and digital networks are connecting the region with broader economic systems. These investments not only increase trade, tourism, investment, and employment, but also strengthen interregional interdependence and reinforce connections between Europe and Asia. In this regard, Azerbaijan plays a key role in the development of the Middle Corridor and the North-South transport corridors and actively supports the multilateral connectivity agenda.”
Jeyhun Bayramov noted that these projects are not limited only to traditional transport infrastructure, but also include the development of green energy corridors, renewable energy transmission systems, energy storage infrastructure, and digital fiber-optic networks: “The goal is to strengthen digital and energy connectivity between Europe and Asia. Looking ahead, I would like to emphasize that Azerbaijan remains committed to the development of dialogue, partnership, and practical cooperation. We support transforming cities into centers of sustainable connectivity, economic development, resilience, and regional cooperation. We believe that through the right policies and integrated approaches, cities can become not only key drivers of economic growth, but also of peace, stability, and shared prosperity.”
