No:543/23, Press release on the meeting of Minister Jeyhun Bayramov with Martin Griffiths, Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator of the UN Secretary-General
23 September 2023 02:22
On 22 September, Minister of Foreign Affairs Jeyhun Bayramov met with Martin Griffiths, Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator of the Secretary-General of the United Nations (UN), Head of the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), within the framework of the general debates of the 78th session of the UN General Assembly in New York.
During the meeting, an exchange of views was conducted on the prospects for the development of the existing cooperation agenda with the UN, including partnership issues in the fields of humanitarian assistance and development assistance.
The role of Azerbaijan as a donor country was particularly commended.
Minister Jeyhun Bayramov emphasized that support for the UN system forms the basis of our country’s humanitarian and development assistance policy, and that Azerbaijan maintains close dialogue and active cooperation with UN institutions on various initiatives.
During the meeting, humanitarian issues arising from Armenia’s nearly 30-year occupation of our territories, the continuous provocations by Armenia and the so-called regime created by it in the Garabagh region of Azerbaijan, as well as its illegal existence, were discussed.
First of all, it was stated that the allegations voiced against our country, such as a “blockade” and a “tense humanitarian crisis in the region,” have no basis, that Armenia deliberately aims to create a so-called humanitarian crisis, and that this step is, in fact, political manipulation.
As for the local anti-terrorism measures, it was stated that the target of the measures taken was exclusively illegal military formations and military infrastructure, and that allegations regarding strikes against the civilian population and objects are groundless and unacceptable.
Within the framework of initiatives related to the reintegration of Armenian residents living in the Garabagh region into our society, it was stated that the Yevlakh meeting held on 21 September took place in a constructive and positive atmosphere, that discussions were held on the reintegration of the Armenian population of Garabagh, the restoration of infrastructure and the organization of its activities on the basis of the Constitution and laws of the Republic of Azerbaijan, that plans on reintegration were presented to the other side, and that the appeals of representatives of Armenian residents of the Garabagh region regarding the provision of social and humanitarian assistance were positively received, and assistance is currently being provided to Armenian residents.
During the meeting, it was emphasized that the International Committee of the Red Cross operates in the Garabagh region of Azerbaijan and that Azerbaijan supports its activities. It was stated that in recent days, assistance to Armenian residents through the ICRC has also been further expanded.
