The USA intends to continue financial and technical assistance in mine clearing of the Azerbaijani territories, Trend reports quoting Rino Harnish, the U.S. Ambassador to Azerbaijan, as saying at an event on the international day of awareness and support on struggle with mine danger on Tuesday.
According to Harnish, the U.S. government has rendered $17m aid to the Azerbaijan National Agency on Mine Action (ANAMA) and will continue this after liberation of the Azerbaijani territories. The U.S. Ambassador expressed satisfaction with the cooperation with ANAMA and mentioned effectiveness of the activities of the Agency. ANAMA can become a good example for 27 countries, cooperating with the U.S. government in mine clearing.
Nazim Ismayilov, the Director of ANAMA, appreciated the cooperation of the Agency with the U.S. government and called it long-term. According to Ismayilov, ANAMA has cleared 22m quadratic meters, neutralized and destroyed 13,000 mines and ammunitions. Nevertheless, Azerbaijan is in for much to do. It will take Azerbaijan 10 years and $400 m to clear 400 m quadratic meters, which is under the Armenian occupation.