Turkish contractors play key role in Nagorno-Karabakh: Azerbaijani FM

Turkish contractors play a key role in the reconstruction of liberated regions in Nagorno-Karabakh, Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov told Hürriyet Daily News.

"The government forges partnerships with the world's leading companies to accelerate reconstruction and development. The Turkish contractors are playing a key role in the reconstruction process. The very first contracts were signed with Turkish companies, and we are confident that they will bring in innovation, resources, best experience and expertise," Bayramov stated in a written interview to Hürriyet Daily News.

Elaborating on the ongoing and planned reconstruction efforts in liberated regions after the war in Nagorno-Karabakh, the minister said that his government allocated over $1.3 billion to conduct reconstruction works in the liberated territories in 2021.

"During 30 years of occupation, Armenia destroyed the entire infrastructure, including power plants, water supply, transportation and communication systems, which used to provide services to some 700,000 people," Bayramov noted.

The works have already started at major towns and include setting up transport infrastructure (airport, bridges, rail and road, etc.) and restoration of historical monuments, mosques, mausoleums and museums, which were destroyed by the occupying Armenian forces, he added.

"Turkey's support is vital for the clearance of these territories from landmines and unexploded ordnance. Turkish companies are engaged in the reconstruction of these areas, including building highways and infrastructure, as well as cooperation in the mining sector," he said.

The minister underlined that Azerbaijan believed that with the assistance of Turkey and other friendly countries, the...