Launch of Team Europe Initiative on Mine Action in Azerbaijan

On 3 May 2024, the Team Europe Initiative on Mine Action in Azerbaijan was launched in Baku, with the participation of Director General for Neighbourhood and Enlargement Negotiations of the European Commission Gert Jan Koopman, Assistant to Azerbaijan’s President and Head of the Foreign Policy Affairs Department of the Presidential Administration Hikmet Hajiyev, Chairman of the Azerbaijan National Agency for Mine Action (ANAMA) Vugar Suleymanov, EU Ambassador Peter Michalko and Heads of Missions of EU Member States.

Director-General Gert Jan Koopman stated: ‘’The European Commission is delivering on the pledge of our President to step up support for demining in Azerbaijan. Landmines are an acute threat to the livelihood of local communities across generations, especially children. The needs are enormous. Together with all contributing EU Member States, we stand ready to further increase our support to address the threat of landmines.”

The EU and the EU Member States are the largest international donor in the field of mine action in Azerbaijan. This year, our support is expected to increase to around 13 million euros under the Team Europe Initiative. This initiative brings under one umbrella the EU and its Member States enhancing the impact of our joint efforts and allowing Azerbaijan to benefit from the combined EU support in terms of expertise, funding and equipment.

Our Team Europe Initiative will continue to support capacity-building and institutional strengthening of the Azerbaijan National Agency for Mine Action, raise mine awareness among the population as well as support victims of mines. Clearing explosive hazards in Azerbaijan will facilitate conditions for a safe return of internally displaced persons, unlocking opportunities for developing sustainable communities and providing safe access to natural resources for the population.