UN HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR REFUGEES STARTS 6-DAY VISIT TO SOUTH CAUCASUS TODAY
Arka News Agency, Armenia
Aug. 17, 2006
YEREVAN, August 16. /ARKA/. UN High Commissioner for Refugees Antonio
Gutieres started his six-day visit to South Caucasus. The Yerevan
UNO office’s press service reported that the goal of this visit is
to strengthen the UNHCR’s role in settling continuing conflicts and
establishing a dialogue in the region.
"The UNHCR is ready to participate in the process of establishment of
peace and development together with governments and local structures.
In Armenia and Azerbaijan, the UNHCR participates in the peaceful
settlement to the Karabakhi conflict, and in Georgia – in two parallel
settlements to the South-Osetian and Abkhazian conflicts," the press
service reported.
A peaceful settlement and stability in the region will allow refugees
to return to their homes and get reintegrated.
The South Caucasian region, populated by over one million of refugees,
is the key zone of the UNHCR’s activity in Europe with the budget
for $9.4mln.