Head of the European Union Delegation to Azerbaijan Kestutis Jankauskas visited the war-affected Terter and Barda regions of Azerbaijan on July 16-17. Within the framework of his trip which was organized by the International Eurasia Press Fund (IEPF), he met with Vidadi Isayev, Head of Barda district Executive Power on July 16.
Vidadi Isayev talked about the work, which is carried out in the agrarian, education spheres, as well as in the field of the development of entrepreneurship in recent years in Barda. He also informed Kestutis Jankauskas on the achievements and opportunities in socio-economic fields in the region. Vidadi Isayev praised EU’s initiatives aimed to develop small and midsize business, as well as vocational education in Barda city.
Touching upon the successful implementation of socio-humanitarian programs by the International Eurasia Press Fund (IEPF) in the war-affected regions, head of Barda district Executive Power spoke about the opportunities for joint cooperation.
“Today, in accordance with the President’s order on the development of non-oil sector, the work is being carried out in different spheres. We are also trying to create Barda brand on several products by using agricultural opportunities of Barda district. In this respect, we are ready to benefit from multilateral cooperation and European experience,” he added.
Head of the EU Delegation to Azerbaijan said that EU supports vocational education programs in the war affected areas. He mentioned that the project aimed at the development of the Barda Vocational School just launched and this is the first large-scale program in the region. He highlighted positive changes in Azerbaijan. Kestutis Jankauskas stressed that recently signed document between Azerbaijan and EU will play the leading role to improve education and social life in the country.
IEPF President Umud Mirzayev pointed out the importance of social and infrastructure projects in the war-affected regions. He appreciated EU’s efforts to improve the living conditions of refugees and IDPs, as well as to develop their education and vocational skills. He underlined the importance of peacebuilding activities and programs on the peaceful settlement of the conflict and the return of refugees and IDPs to their homes.
As a part of his visit, EU representative got acquainted with the daily activity of Barda Vocational School, historical and cultural heritage of the region and the development of a cotton-growing field.
Head of the European Union Delegation and IEPF representatives met with Mustaqim Mammadov, head of Terter district Executive Power on July 17. During the meeting, the parties discussed the economic and agricultural potential of the region. Mustaqim Mammadov said that Terter district was the first place for wheat, beet and cotton products in Azerbaijan last year. He also highlighted the importance of the involvement of local inhabitants into the agricultural sphere.
In addition, he also mentioned that people who work in the agrarian sector face water scarcity. Mostly, in summer, local people have serious problems with irrigation issues because the water is supposed to come from Sarsang water reservoir, which is currently under the occupation and blocked. For the partial solution of the problem, 600 artesian wells were drilled with the financial support of International humanitarian organizations and Azerbaijani government in Terter district. Despite the difficulties, today, the government supports small and mid-size businesses in this region.
Kestutis Jankauskas emphasized the importance of increasing the productivity through the skilled workers in the agrarian sector and the use of innovative methods.
At the end of the meeting, the parties stated that the implementation of EU projects in the regions where mostly refugees and IDPs are settled will contribute to the development of the agricultural field.
One of the main goals of the EU representative’s visit to the region was to get closer acquaintance with the resources, programs and infrastructure projects of the IEPF, to hold discussions with the IEPF experts, trainers and to set goals for future cooperation.
IEPF President informed him about the projects, programs and vocational training courses implemented by the Fund in Terter region.
Kestutis Jankauskas thanked the IEPF team for organizing this visit.
“Since coming to Azerbaijan in September last year I kind of made a commitment saying that Azerbaijan is much more than Baku only. For that reason, I have to go to the regions, different cities and see the first-hand life of the people there."
He added that this two-day visit is not his first trip, but it was the first time when he had a chance to meet with people, with entrepreneurs, with the governance, see various projects and the needs of the local population.
“The first visit to a place, some month ago, it was organized to all of the diplomatic corps, and then we visited freshly constructed new residential area for the internally displaced person (IDPs), but that was only one day and it was cold. This visit now gave much more opportunities to get acquaintance with issues, problems, and opportunities for the future," head of the European Union Delegation to Azerbaijan concluded.
