French mine agency calls for security conditions for safe return to liberated lands

France supports Azerbaijan in demining liberated territories since the mine problem prevents the population from returning there, Secretary-General of the National Commission for the Elimination of Anti-Personnel Mines Yves Marek told Report.

"It is important to allow people to return to their territories in safety. France has already decided to help Azerbaijan and ANAMA by allocating half a million euros. This year, as a representative of the demining group in France, I intend to include the issue of assistance to Azerbaijan in the program and organize a coalition of donors for this," Yves Marek said.

Yves Marek expressed hope that Azerbaijan will set an example for the entire region and sign the Ottawa Convention (on the prohibition of the use, stockpiling, production, transfer of anti-personnel mines and their destruction).