The minister emphasized that after Azerbaijan put an end to the occupation of its territories, it is now rehabilitating the region ahead of the return of its residents
Azerbaijan’s “smart village” project, which has been underway in the newly liberated Karabakh region of Zangilan, is nearing completion, Baku’s Deputy Minister of Economy Elnur Aliyev said on Wednesday.
Aliyev spoke on the sidelines of a business visit by Russian companies aiming to invest in the development of Azerbaijan’s "smart city" urban infrastructure.
"In Karabakh, work is underway to implement smart projects. We are already completing the implementation of the smart village project in Zangilan. Efforts are also being carried out in other liberated territories."
The minister emphasized that after Azerbaijan put an end to the occupation of its territories, it is now rehabilitating the region ahead of the return of its residents.
"Now active restoration work is underway in Karabakh. Today we’ll provide detailed information on the potential of liberated territories," he said, adding that Azerbaijan is laying the foundation for the opening of all transport channels in the region.
"We are ready. All the specialized companies present here will be able to become participants in the implementation of these projects, as well as investors," concluded Aliyev.
Relations between the former Soviet republics of Armenia and Azerbaijan have been tense since 1991 when the Armenian military occupied Nagorno-Karabakh, also known as Upper Karabakh, a territory internationally recognized as part of Azerbaijan, and seven adjacent regions.
During a subsequent 44-day conflict which ended under a deal signed Nov. 10, Azerbaijan liberated several cities and nearly 300 settlements and villages from Armenian nearly three-decade occupation.
The cease-fire is seen as a victory for Azerbaijan and a defeat for Armenia, whose armed forces withdrew in line with the agreement.
