OSCE may enter new phase in Azerbaijan as mine threat becomes practical test

Home Azerbaijan Politics OSCE may enter new phase in Azerbaijan as mine threat becomes practical test Politics Materials 4 August 2026 20:20 (UTC +04:00) Alish Abdulla Read more BAKU, Azerbaijan, August 4. The mine threat remains one of the most serious humanitarian challenges facing Azerbaijan in the post-conflict period. Following the liberation of its territories from occupation, the country has been confronted not only with the task of rebuilding cities and villages, but also with the complex and long-term challenge of making these areas safe for human habitation.

This is why, in recent years, Azerbaijan has consistently raised humanitarian demining on international platforms not only as a matter of national security, but also as an issue of regional development, human rights and sustainable peace. Against this backdrop, the visit to Baku by Swiss Federal Councillor, Head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs and OSCE Chairperson-in-Office Ignazio Cassis drew particular attention. During a joint press briefing, Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov openly stated that Azerbaijan expects the OSCE to play a more active role in humanitarian demining through concrete projects, while the Swiss side highlighted its extensive experience in this field.

This demonstrated that the mine threat has become an issue not only for bilateral relations but also for broader international cooperation. In reality, the issue extends far beyond mine clearance itself. Accelerating demining operations is regarded as a key prerequisite for the success of the Great Return program, the reconstruction of Karabakh and Eastern Zangezur, the launch of new transport corridors, the expansion of the investment climate and the region's broader economic integration.

For this reason, Azerbaijan's expectations of the OSCE are aimed not only at political support but also at mobilizing practical projects, technology, financing and expert resources. Keeping the mine threat on the international agenda Azerbaijan's efforts are not limited to diplomatic meetings. In a recent statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported that two Azerbaijani citizens were seriously injured in another mine explosion in the Khojavand district, once again calling on the international community to step up its support.

The ministry stressed that since the end of the 2020 Patriotic War, 433 people have been affected by landmine contamination resulting from Armenia's actions. The figures demonstrate that the mine threat continues to claim victims long after the conflict has ended. According to the ministry, the humanitarian consequences of landmines remain a serious obstacle to sustainable peace, development and human security.

The statement emphasized that "ensuring a mine-free future is an essential condition for sustainable peace, development and human security." The ministry believes that broader international support for humanitarian demining activities is essential to achieve this goal. Humanitarian demining is an urgent issue that saves lives Speaking to Trend, Head of the Azerbaijani delegation to the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly and member of the parliamentary Committee on International Relations and Inter-Parliamentary Ties Gaya Mammadov said Armenia had planted more than one million landmines across Azerbaijani territories during the occupation while nearly one thousand towns and villages had been destroyed. According to the lawmaker, preliminary estimates place the damage inflicted on Azerbaijan at more than $150 billion.