Ilham Aliyev: Our Lakes and Rivers Have Been Polluted and We Have Already Appealed to International Organizations
‘The area of forests in the liberated territories used to be 230,000 hectares. Today, according to satellite observations, forests cover an area of 170,000 hectares. In other words, 60,000 hectares of forests have been destroyed. Our lakes and rivers have been polluted, and we have already appealed to international organisations,’ said Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev at a joint press-conference with President of the European Council Charles Michel, informs Azerbaijan State News Agency.
‘At the same time, legal proceedings have been launched against foreign companies engaged in illegal economic activities in the occupied territories, pollution of our rivers, causing damage to our nature and illegally plundering our natural resources, including gold and other precious metals. So tourism can be an attractive area for foreign investment.
‘Despite all this environmental damage, Karabakh and East Zangezur are the most beautiful regions not only in Azerbaijan, but also in the whole region. I do hope that foreign investors will take into account the favorable investment climate in Azerbaijan. According to the World Bank’s Doing Business report, Azerbaijan ranks 28th in the world in terms of business environment, and foreign investments are securely protected in Azerbaijan. I hope that foreign companies seriously consider this issue,’ said Ilham Aliyev.
