Bohdan Drapyaty discussed cooperation in humanitarian demining with Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Azerbaijan to Ukraine Seymour Mardalyev
Today, August 10, the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine held a meeting of the Deputy Head of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine Bogdan Drapyaty with the Azerbaijani delegation headed by Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Azerbaijan to Ukraine Seymour Mardalyev.
The main topic of negotiations was the issue of humanitarian demining of Ukraine and the assistance of official Baku in this direction.
At the beginning of the event, Bohdan Drapyaty thanked the partners for their comprehensive assistance to our country against the background of a full-scale Russian invasion. In particular, the Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs noted the recent assistance to Azerbaijan in eliminating the consequences of the subversion by the occupiers of the Kakhovka hydroelectric power plant.
In addition, Bohdan Drapyaty told the partners that the invasion of Ukraine by the occupying forces of the Russian Federation and their massive use of various weapons and mining systems led to large-scale contamination of territories, settlements and infrastructure objects with explosive objects.
“As a result of the military aggression of the Russian Federation, an estimated 174 thousand square kilometers are potentially contaminated with mines and other explosive objects. In particular, about 14 thousand square kilometers of rivers, reservoirs and reservoirs of Ukraine, coastal waters of the Azov and Black Seas, hydraulic structures and seaports need to be cleaned from mines and other explosive objects,” the Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs of Ukraine noted.
He informed the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Azerbaijan to Ukraine, Seymour Mardalyev, that it was the employees of the Ministry of Internal Affairs who would be the first to enter the de-occupied territories. According to him, international assistance in providing the necessary equipment is very important for Ukraine, because human lives depend on it.
“First of all, the demining of the de-occupied territories is carried out. Representatives of the National Police are the first to enter these settlements and carry out operational demining. We are doing everything to ensure livelihoods, and citizens can return to their homes,” Bohdan Drapyaty said.
The Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs stressed that Ukraine is currently making maximum efforts in the issue of humanitarian demining, but the country needs help in providing machinery, namely machines for mechanized mining. Bohdan Drapyaty emphasized that one day of operation of this machine replaces 100 days of work of sappers.
In turn, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Azerbaijan to Ukraine Seymour Mardalyev said that his country fully stands by the official Kiev and will continue to support our country against the background of a full-scale Russian invasion.
“We are not happy to be at this meeting. We want to express admiration for your steadfastness and courage in repelling the aggression of the Russian Federation. That is why we decided to increase the size of the aid package to Ukraine, in particular in the issue of humanitarian demining. We have already made political commitments to help Ukraine,” said Seymour Mardalyev.
The Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Azerbaijan to Ukraine noted that there are four areas of cooperation in which the official Baku is ready to help Ukraine. We are talking about medical and psychological rehabilitation for Ukrainian children affected by the Russian invasion, rehabilitation of servicemen, assistance in the energy sector and post-war reconstruction of Ukraine:
“We chose the city of Irpin for our cooperation, we are talking about rebuilding the city's infrastructure. The concept of the project provides for the reconstruction of an architectural center, a sports complex, the construction of a new art center for children, the provision of medical equipment for the hospital.”
In addition, the parties discussed the organization of future trainings on the territory of Azerbaijan for the exchange of experience in the field of humanitarian demining.
“Azerbaijan joins the list of countries that will conduct training for Ukrainian specialists in the field of mining. Our experience is very interesting for you. We are talking not only about national opportunities, but also about international missions in which Azerbaijan was involved,” said Seymour Mardalyev.
At the end of the meeting, the Azerbaijani side announced a new package of assistance to Ukraine, which will include a mechanized demining machine.
“We will continue to provide you with all the assistance you need. Our President keeps the situation under control and constantly conducts negotiations with your President Volodymyr Zelensky,” summed up the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Azerbaijan to Ukraine.
Department of Communications of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine
