BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 7. An open meeting
with Armenian President Vahagn Khachaturyan was held at CEVRO
University in Prague, bringing together politicians, students,
academics and members of the public.


Farid Amiraliyev, founder of the Land of Fire society in the
Czech Republic and Czech coordinator of the Coordinating Council of
Eastern Europe Azerbaijanis, also attended the meeting. During the
event, he addressed the Armenian president with a pointed question
concerning the mine threat in Azerbaijani territory.


In his remarks, Khachaturyan discussed Armenia’s relations with
Azerbaijan and Türkiye, developments in Karabakh, the 2020 war, the
peace agreement reached in Washington between Azerbaijani President
Ilham Aliyev and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, as well
as prospects for regional cooperation.


Although no separate question-and-answer session had been
scheduled, Amiraliyev took the opportunity to ask the president
about the mine issue, which remains of major importance to
Azerbaijan.


Amiraliyev highlighted the continuing mine threat in Azerbaijani
territory and asked when Armenia would provide Azerbaijan with
complete and accurate maps of mined areas. He stressed the
importance of maintaining a sustainable peace process between
Azerbaijan and Armenia and noted that landmines continue to pose a
serious threat to civilian lives.


In response, Khachaturyan said that, based on requests from
Azerbaijan, Armenia had provided mine maps, information and other
materials in its possession. He also said that information held by
Armenia concerning the fate of around 4,000 Azerbaijanis who went
missing during the First Karabakh War had been provided to
Azerbaijan.


However, the Armenian president did not give a specific date or
timeframe in response to the main question of when complete and
accurate maps of mined areas in Azerbaijani territory would be
provided.


After the meeting, Khachaturyan approached Amiraliyev, shook his
hand and congratulated him for openly raising the question.


Several other participants later approached Amiraliyev to thank
and congratulate him for bringing the mine issue to the Armenian
president’s attention.


Amiraliyev said, “Peace is measured not only by political
statements but also by ensuring people’s safety. Mines in
Azerbaijani territory continue to threaten people’s lives. That is
why I considered it important to raise this issue with the Armenian
president on such a platform.”