BAKU, Azerbaijan, Jan. 8
Trend:
With regard to mine clearance, I think we need to significantly strengthen this area. After all, according to the information I have, the body dealing with this issue does not have a public status. ANAMA does not have a state status. It is an ordinary agency, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev said chairing a meeting in a video format on the country's results of 2020, Trend reports.
“It has virtually no agency-specific powers in the public administration structure. It is a body that was once part of a commission. Therefore, I have already issued the order to reorganize this body in the coming days. It is also possible to consider merging it with the Agency for the Rehabilitation of Territories. Because this body also has no agency status either. The staffing figures should be reviewed. According to my information, there are about 500 people working there,” the head of state said.
“Of course, we cannot achieve what we want with this composition. This new agency to be established must be equipped with the latest technology. Make sure you take this into account in the Public Investment Program so that we do not waste any time on this issue. Some figures are being expressed now, statements are being made. I think these statements are irrelevant. It is simply irresponsible to try to calculate how many years it will take us to clear these lands of mines. No-one can say that. There can be no criteria or coefficients for that. Because the hated enemy planted booby traps everywhere and did not provide us with maps. Much as we demanded that there should be a map of those mines, they have not been given to us," the president said.
"Therefore, we need to prioritize our work, just as we have done. At the same time, I ordered the Ministry of Defense to establish at least two field engineering battalions at the initial stage. Yesterday, the Minister of Defense informed me that work in this area is under way. At the same time, as you know, a large delegation of 130 people has arrived from Turkey. They are training our sappers as instructors and, at the same time, do the mine clearance work themselves. Two days ago, a group of sappers arrived from Russia, and they have already started this work. We express our deep gratitude to all foreign partners because mine clearance is key to the restoration of these places,” the head of state said.