BAKU. Nov 20 (Interfax) - Azerbaijan will make additional investments in the reconstruction of Karabakh territories in 2021, considering that 50 million manats ($29.4 million) allocated from the reserve fund will not be enough, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev said.
"The reconstructions have already begun. Relevant instructions were given during the visit to Fizuli in regards to the construction of a new road between Fizuli and Shusha, and funds were assigned from the presidential reserve fund: 50 million manats at the initial stage [$29.4 million]. However, that won't be enough. Additional allocations will be made next year," Aliyev said in a televised address to the nation on Friday.
The new road, which Azerbaijan started building on November 17, will be simultaneously constructed in several areas, he said.
"I have ordered that the Ahmetbeyli - Alhanli - Fizuli - Shusha road be divided into several sections for construction purposes and that a number of companies be engaged so that they rapidly build the road," Aliyev said.
Previously, there was the Agdam-Khankendi [called Stepanakert by the Armenians] road to Shusha, but "it cannot be used just yet," Aliyev said.
"The trilateral statement of November 10 said that all communications would be unlocked, so I think that the Agdam-Khankendi road will reopen some time later. I also think that the reopening of communications, including roads connecting the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic to the main part of Azerbaijan, will contribute to lasting peace in the region," he said.
Aliyev noted in his address that the Armenian reports alleging 90,000 refugees from Nagorno-Karabakh were excessive and estimated the maximum number of Armenian refugees at 60,000-65,000.
"As to another fictitious statement of Armenia, alleging that 90,000 refugees have fled Nagorno-Karabakh, let me be clear. No more than 60,000-65,000 people were residing in the territory of Nagorno-Karabakh and other occupied territories before the 2nd Karabakh War," Aliyev said.
"How do we know that? We have operative information. We have enough sources of information in that region, which is one of the reasons for our success. We have been fully aware of the local developments, and we are still aware of them," Aliyev said.
Azerbaijan launched an offensive in Nagorno-Karabakh on September 27. Turkey backed Azerbaijan's actions in the region.
The leaders of Russia, Azerbaijan, and Armenia signed a trilateral statement, which declared a full ceasefire in Nagorno-Karabakh starting at 12 a.m. on November 10. Azerbaijani and Armenian forces retained their positions.