Today, the main problem seriously hindering the restoration, construction, and reconstruction works carried out in Karabakh and Eastern Zangezur is the mines buried in those areas. Mine maps were first presented to Azerbaijan by Armenia in 2021. However, at that time, Azerbaijani officials stated that the usefulness of these maps was not more than 25%.
At the Washington meeting on August 8 this year, both countries initialed the text of the peace agreement.
One of the main issues in the initialed peace text is related to mutual trust-building.
For this reason, the issue of taking new steps regarding mine maps comes to the fore. It should be particularly noted that after the Patriotic War and until the anti-terror operations, mine-laying activities were carried out again by Armenians.
Hafiz Safikhanov, Chairman of the Public Association "Azerbaijan Campaign Against Mines", told Modern.az that the Armenian side should provide mine maps for an area of 960 square meters:
"The Armenian side says they have provided all the maps they possess. However, after the 44-day war and until the anti-terror operations, they carried out mine-laying activities for approximately 480 kilometers in length and 2 kilometers in depth. Mine maps covering an area of 960 square kilometers must be handed over to Azerbaijan. They provided the maps from before the Patriotic War in 3-4 installments. These maps covered the area starting from the Araz River up to the "Ohanyan Line" and contained information about nearly 400,000 mines. Of these mines, 97,000 were in Aghdam, 92,000 in Fuzuli, and the rest were in other areas. Later, they provided 8 forms related to the foothills of Murov Mountain. However, no documents related to the new front line they created after the 44-day war have been given to Azerbaijan".
H. Safikhanov noted that the provision of these maps would both strengthen mutual trust and facilitate the work of the Azerbaijani government:
"Because after we cross the "Ohanyan Line", we do not know what is where. This does not mean that everywhere there is mined. But we also do not know what is where. This is what makes our work difficult. It would be good if the maps were provided. It would help create an environment of trust. If the political leadership of both countries deems it acceptable, joint demining could also be carried out. There is also a demining organization in Armenia. There are areas where joint demining can be carried out. Joint operations can be conducted in the villages in the Gazakh region and in the areas through which the Zangezur corridor passes. All of these can serve to create an environment of trust and peace".
The Chairman of the Public Association stated that he was unaware whether Azerbaijan had made an official appeal to Armenia regarding mine maps:
"Perhaps these conversations and discussions are taking place behind closed doors. But it has not yet been officially announced to the public. As an organization, we raise this issue through third parties at international events we participate in. We also frame the issue by saying that if the socio-political environment in Armenia does not allow them to do this directly, they should provide those maps to you, and you should give them to Azerbaijan. If there are residents of Armenian origin living in the Karabakh and Eastern Zangezur territories who have fallen victim to mines, they can also provide information about this, which could be very important for us. Information about where wild and domestic animals have stepped on mines would also provide us with certain clues. As the head of the organization, I have made appeals regarding these issues. Unfortunately, there is no result yet".
