On April 12, the representatives of the Political and Security Committee of the European Union (EU) representing 27 countries visited Aghdam city during their visit to the liberated territories.
The delegation, led by Delphine Pronk, Chairperson of the EU's Political and Security Committee, and accompanied by Ambassador Peter Mikhalko, Head of the EU Delegation in Azerbaijan, engaged in a comprehensive visit to Aghdam. Notable attendees included Emin Huseynov, the special representative of the President of Azerbaijan for Aghdam, Fuzuli, and Khojavend regions, as well as Vagif Sadigov, Azerbaijan's ambassador to Belgium and Luxembourg, and Samir Poladov, Deputy Chairman of the Board of the Mine Action Agency of The Republic of Azerbaijan (ANAMA).
The guests were given extensive information about the city of Aghdam. It was reported that the city of Aghdam, in addition to its greatness, was also a place with an ancient history. While talking about Aghdam, the guests were shown the original versions of the buildings destroyed by the Armenians in photos that reflect the city's past. While informing about Aghdam Juma Mosque, the photos of the mosque before and during the occupation, as well as photos proving that cattle and pigs were kept in the mosque by committing humiliating actions contrary to national moral values, were also presented to the guests.
E. Huseynov also spoke about the destruction of the culture house in the center of the city, as well as other buildings of the city.
The representatives also visited Aghdam Conference Center. Here, they were told that after the occupation, the Armenians deliberately and in small quantities polluted the territories with mines and unexploded military ammunition, which posed a serious threat to the lives of civilians. It was noted that as a result of the explosion of the mines buried by the Armenians, after the 44-day war, 368 people fell into mines, and 65 of them died.
The foreign guests then got acquainted with the first female deminer team in Azerbaijan. The guests were welcomed by Umud Mirzayev, the president of the International Eurasia Press Fund (IEPF), project executive. The head of the fund gave the members of the committee detailed information about the mine problem in Azerbaijan. According to him, the guests were greatly impressed by the sights they saw:
"Perhaps the foreign representatives did not expect this level of conflict and Armenian vandalism. But I can tell they were impressed by what they saw. I also informed them about the Women's Mine Team. The vast majority of employees working in IEPF are people living in conflict regions and affected by the war. Such projects, unfortunately, have less response in the international community. Because anti-Azerbaijani propaganda is carried out and the real realities are left out. Armenia's vandalism is ignored. From the information we gave and the EU representatives, we were able to create an impression and an idea about the mine problem in Azerbaijan. They stated that they will stand by and support Azerbaijan."
The Chairman of the Political and Security Committee of the European Union, Delphine Pronk, also spoke during the visit:
"I am proud that we can change the situation. When it comes to demining, the European Union is the biggest supporter of Azerbaijan. The European Union is helping to increase the role they play in security by training a women's demining team," said D. Pronk.
It should be noted that the visit of the delegation of the European Union ambassadorial level, Political and Security Committee, as well as representatives of European institutions to Azerbaijan began on April 11-12. At the beginning of the week, representatives of 27 member countries visited Armenia, then Georgia, and then Azerbaijan. The purpose of the visit is to discuss the cooperation between the countries of the South Caucasus and the European Union, as well as the developments in the region.
