Reconstruction work in Azerbaijan's liberated territories discussed in Belgrade

The prospects for lasting peace, security and cooperation in the South Caucasus have never been brighter.

Report's Balkan bureau informs that Azerbaijani Ambassador to Serbia Kamil Khasiyev said this during his speech at an official reception held in Belgrade on the occasion of May 28 – Independence Day.

The diplomat emphasized that Azerbaijan liberated its territories from occupation at the end of 2020.

"Immediately after the end of military operations, Azerbaijan proposed to Armenia to establish bilateral relations based on the norms and principles of international law, especially respect for sovereignty, territorial integrity and the inviolability of international borders, and to conclude a bilateral agreement on this as soon as possible. On August 8 last year, at a trilateral meeting held in Washington with the participation of US President Donald Trump, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Armenian Prime Minister Pashinyan, a Joint Declaration was signed and the draft peace agreement between Azerbaijan and Armenia was initialed by the foreign ministers of the two countries," he said.

The ambassador said Azerbaijan has carried out major restoration work in the liberated territories over the past five years and that this work is continuing.

"Azerbaijan is now rebuilding nine cities and hundreds of villages from scratch. New roads, airports, power plants, new infrastructure, schools and public buildings are being built to ensure the return of hundreds of thousands of internally displaced persons to their native cities and villages, which were completely destroyed and contaminated with mines during the occupation. Tens of thousands of internally displaced persons have already returned to their native lands.

In this regard, Baku's hosting of the 13th World Urban Forum under the auspices of the United Nations Human Settlements Programme carries great symbolic significance. The forum concluded last week. We set a record with around 60,000 participants. The first Leaders Summit, convened at Azerbaijan's initiative, gave stronger political momentum to the global urban agenda. We were very pleased with President Vucic's participation in the summit and highly appreciate his great contribution. The ideas emerging from the forum and reflected in the outcome documents will further enrich and guide the global urban agenda. Amid growing global uncertainty, WUF13 represents Azerbaijan's more unequivocal contribution to multilateralism and collective action for a better future," he said.

"It is a source of pride that the international community recognizes Azerbaijan's post-conflict reconstruction efforts," the diplomat said, adding that these efforts are highlighted as a valuable example for other post-conflict contexts around the world.