Deputy Prime Minister of Azerbaijan, Chairman of the State Committee on Work with Refugees and IDPs Ali Hasanov met with members of Turkish media outlets and "France 24" TV channel. 
The journalists saw photographs reflecting the situation of refugees and IDPs and Armenian military aggression against Azerbaijan during 1988-1993.
Mr. Hasanov updated the journalists about history of Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno Karabakh conflict, brutalities committed by Armenians against Azerbaijani people. The Chairman said over the past 20 years, $ 4.6 billion dollars had been spent on welfare of refugees. Up to now, 70 modern settlements have been constructed for refugees and IDPs.
Mr. Hasanov said Azerbaijan rapidly develops its economy, beefs up its military and strengthens international relations. The policy and socio-economic situation in Armenia is in bad conditions and its non-constructive position led to collapse of its domestic and foreign policy.
On French Senate`s bill about criminalizing the denial of so-called Armenian genocide, Mr. Hasanov said this step is aimed not only at Turkey but also the whole Turkic world.
He said: "At night from February 25 to 26 the Armenian armed forces occupied the town of Khojaly. The occupation was carried out with active support of several units of the Russian Army`s 366th regiment. Occupation of Khojaly was followed with unprecedented brutalities against the civilian population. In a few hours the aggressors killed 613 innocent and unarmed people. Among them were 106 women, 83 children. 56 people were killed with special brutality. 8 families were totally exterminated. 25 children were totally, and 130 children were partly orphaned. 476 people became disabled persons (of them 76 were minors). 1275 people were taken into hostage and even though afterwards most of the hostages were released from captivity, the fates of 150 of them are still unknown."
The Chairman said it is necessary to raise the awareness of the world community about this problem.
The CDs about Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno Karabakh conflict were disseminated among the journalists.
Ali Hasanov also gave an interview to "France 24" TV Channel about the Nagorno Karabakh conflict, the Khojaly Genocide, the refugees and IDPs.

AzerTAc