AZERBAIJAN PRESIDENT ILHAM ALIYEV RECEIVES UN HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR REFUGEES

Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
Aug. 17, 2006

Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev today received the delegation
of the United Nations led by High Commissioner for Refugees Antonio
Guterres.

The President’s press service told the APA the President said the
fact that Armenia occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan’s territory
forcing about million of Azerbaijanis to flee their homeland and
become refugees and internally displaced persons, continues to be a
major problem for the country.

He noted the Government has been taking steady measures to improve
the living conditions of the refugees and IDPs, adding all the tent
camps will be removed very soon as not wanted.

President Ilham Aliyev also said he believes this visit will contribute
to further enhancement of cooperation between Azerbaijan and Office
of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).

Antonio Guterres said the UNHCR decided last year to pay more attention
to dealing with the problems of refugees and IDPs, stressing the
importance of his visit to Azerbaijan from this aspect.

Mr. Guterres highly appreciated the Azerbaijani Government’s efforts
towards bettering the lives of refugees and IDPs.

He also said he believes the cooperation between Azerbaijan and UNHCR
will further develop.