BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 24. Belgium highly appreciates the activities of the Azerbaijani Mine Action Agency, Belgian Ambassador to Azerbaijan Julien de Fraipont said at a round table organized by the Azerbaijan Campaign Against Mines Public Association on mine victims, Trend reports.
“Belgium is a pioneer in international efforts to combat anti-personnel mines. We encourage all countries to join the Ottawa Convention, which is one of the key international instruments in addressing this problem. Unexploded ordnance from the First World War is still being found in the affected regions of Belgium. This is not a short-term problem; it remains with us for decades,” he said.
The Ambassador noted that Belgium supports the Azerbaijani Mine Action Agency in the fight against anti-personnel mines and is proud of the efforts of the Belgian organization APOPO, which works in Azerbaijan in the fight against this problem.
“In conclusion, I would like to say that the European Union has pledged to support this issue through financial assistance as well as technical assistance. Therefore, I reiterate my full support and full support of Belgium in this matter,” Julien de Fraipont added.
To note, the roundtable is organized by the Azerbaijan Campaign Against Landmines Public Association. Representatives of structures engaged in mine action and assisting mine victims, including representatives of the Azerbaijani Mine Action Agency and members of the Azerbaijani Parliament, address the event. Representatives of the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection, the YAŞAT Foundation, the Ombudsman's Office, mine victims, and NGO representatives also take part in the event.