Azerbaijan, UN agency discuss cooperation on refugee support

By Burc Eruygur

ISTANBUL (AA) - Azerbaijan on Wednesday discussed with the International Organization for Migration (IOM) ways to support refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs).

“During the meeting, satisfaction was expressed with the current level of cooperation between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the International Organization for Migration, issues on the international migration agenda and prospects for future development of cooperation in this field were exchanged,” a statement by the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry read, following a meeting between Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov and IOM Director-General Antonio Vitorino in the capital Baku.

Bayramov emphasized that migration issues are “effectively regulated in Azerbaijan as a result of the country's successful migration policy and institutional reforms in this field.”

He also gave detailed information on the restoration and reconstruction works carried out in the Karabakh region, adding that ensuring the stable settlement of IDPs in their homeland is a priority in state policy.

The Karabakh region was liberated from nearly three decades of Armenian occupation following a 44-day conflict between Baku and Yerevan in the fall of 2020.

For his part, Vitorino welcomed the work done in Azerbaijan in the field of migration management, and expressed that the IOM is ready to continue supporting the Azerbaijani government in the future.

“In this context, it was emphasized that the establishment of the regional training center of the organization is an important step,” the statement added.​​​​​​​

Vitorino arrived in Azerbaijan to take part in the Non-Aligned Movement's Contact Group Summit on the fight against COVID-19, which will take place on March 2.