"The main purpose of the visit of Heidi Kuhn, the founder and CEO of  "Roots of Peace", a humanitarian organisation to Azerbaijan on March 1-5 was to draw the attention of the world community to the mined territories of Karabakh and surrounding areas during the 30-year occupation."

Umud Mirzayev, President of the International Eurasia Press Fund, who organised Heidi's visit to Azerbaijan, said in his interview to Ednews.

Thus, an interesting conversation started with Umud Mirzayev, who has undertaken this benevolent mission and has always fulfilled his sacred duty, despite all the difficulties.

- Where did the idea of inviting the founder of "Roots of Peace" Heidi Kuhn to Azerbaijan come from and what was the purpose of this mission?

- The International Eurasia Press Fund has been working on the mine action program in Azerbaijan for many years. After the liberation of Karabakh, the main problem has been the contamination of the territories with mines and unexploded ordnance. Azerbaijan is currently one of the countries in the world with the highest level of mine pollution.

During its 25 years of operation, Roots of Peace has cleared more than 100,000 landmines in war-torn areas in eight countries, and has supported agricultural development in those areas. Heidi's initiative "Mines to Vines", which turned mine-contaminated areas into vineyards, has become a major movement in the world. This initiative has greatly contributed to the increase in agricultural exports from Afghanistan from $ 250 million in 2014 to $ 1.4 billion in 2020.

We thought that our cooperation with such an organisation could be useful especially for the Karabakh region. With this in mind, we started correspondence with their organisation, and Ms. Heidi, in turn, after investigating our organisation, responded positively to our appeal.

- As far as we know, your daughter Aysaba Umutlu, who works for Al Jazeera, one of the world's leading media networks, also made a great contribution to the establishment of relations with Heidi Kuhn. I would like you to inform about this as well.

- Absolutely, Aysaba Umutlu had a lot support in realising this initiative. Aysaba has been following the IEPF's activities for many years and has large information about its projects. She has been cooperating with our organisation for many years though she works for Al Jazeera. Due to her support in establishing relations in this regard, Heidi Kuhn's visit to Azerbaijan took place. While Ms. Kuhn was visiting Baku, Aysaba also came to Azerbaijan from Qatar to make the visit even more successful. Her friendship with Heidi continues today.

- This initiative also aims to draw some attention to the problem raised by Azerbaijan for many years - land contaminated with mines and their cleaning. How do you think Ms. Kuhn's visit to Azerbaijan will contribute to this?

- This is one of the main points. Heidi Kuhn's visit to Karabakh, holding a press conference, signing a memorandum of understanding between the IEPF and the "Roots of Peace" organisation, a meeting at ADA University, and a number of events are still covered by the media around her.

After her visit to Azerbaijan, Kuhn is still trying to emphasise the seriousness of the problem with Azerbaijan in her meetings in Abu Dhabi, as well as in several parts of the world.

- Obviously, Heidi Kuhn first visited Shamakhi region, one of the viticultural cities of Azerbaijan and living the traditions of winemaking. What was the purpose of this trip?

- Heidi Kuhn visited Meysari village of Shamakhi to get acquainted with the viticulture and winemaking complex. She discussed the importance of increasing the export potential of wine products, informing the general public about the history of wine production in Azerbaijan. At the end of the visit, we planted a grapevine with the participation of Heidi Kuhn and sent a message of peace to the world.

- You also visited Karabakh with Heidi Kuhn. How did she feel when she first saw the mined areas, and the territories turned into ruins by Armenian vandals? In general, what did she witness in these areas and how did she react to it?

- Heidi and I visited Tartar and Aghdam districts. I witnessed how much she was depressed on the way to Agdam, how she cried in tears and watched the horrible scenes there. While we were visiting the Alley of Martyrs, Heidi Kuhn knelt in front of the grave of 12-year-old Khojaly martyr Sakhavat and said that she would do everything possible to restore the lands by removing landmines.

Today, the world media and organisations can refer to various sources and make decisions about Karabakh, but when they see the situation with their own eyes, their whole perception changes, and regardless of race or gender, they are helpless in the face of the atrocities committed here.

- Heidi Kuhn can also show great support to Azerbaijan by spreading in the world the traces of vandalism she saw in the land of Karabakh as well as by propagating it.

- You are absolutely right. Heidi Kuhn has already taken very positive steps in this direction. She tirelessly propagates and continues to spread what she sees in the world as a human being. At an event organised by the United Nations in Abu Dhabi on the occasion of the International Women's Day on March 8, Heidi made the issue of Karabakh a topic of discussion among her friends. 

- What is the purpose of the memorandum of understanding signed between the two organisations and what is planned to be done? Generally, what projects will be implemented mainly in mined areas?

- ANAMA also joined this memorandum. Other organisations are expected to participate in this process together with us. Also, as one of our partners, students of ADA University will be able to join this project.

I would like to note that the importance of Heidi Kuhn's activity is to raise possible funds for the demining of contaminated areas and to ensure the support of the international community to Azerbaijan. This is extremely important both in terms of forming an image of Azerbaijan in the world, as well as in terms of clearing the mines off the region and subsequent use of those lands by former residents. For 30 years, people have wanted to return to their homes and create their own jobs. The implementation of this project will support both the creation of jobs and the return of people.

- On the last day of the visit, in connection with the 25th anniversary of the "Roots of Peace" organisation and International Women's Day, a gala dinner was organised at the Baku Nobel Peace Museum, known as Alfred Nobel. It is no coincidence that this anniversary event took place at the Alfred Nobel Peace Museum.

- What was the impression of Heidi Kuhn after leaving Azerbaijan? When will she visit Azerbaijan again?

- Heidi Kuhn came to Azerbaijan as a friend and left here as a native person. She is a woman of the world. Ms Kuhn has been working for the welfare of people who have spent their lives in peace for many years. During her visit, she saw with her own eyes what a great disaster Azerbaijan is facing, and witnessed it vividly. Our organisation is in constant contact with her organisation and we have a joint program. Heidi Kuhn is expected to pay another visit to Azerbaijan on the 30th anniversary of the International Eurasia Press Fund in September. In addition, we plan to hold a number of events both in Azerbaijan and abroad.

- Thank you for your interesting conversation.

- Thank you very much!