Baku, February 7, 2025 – The Europe Today: The Environmental Protection First (EPF) Coalition, an alliance of Azerbaijani non-governmental organizations advocating against Armenia’s environmentally harmful mining industry, is set to release a digital map identifying major polluters. The initiative includes photo and video documentation of ecological damage caused by Armenia’s mining operations.
According to Mugabil Bayramov, Chairman of the Azerbaijani Cartographers Public Union, the coalition has been actively working on the digital map for over a year. He emphasized that Armenia’s disregard for environmental norms and standards poses a significant threat to the region’s ecological stability.
“We reiterate that Armenia, which disregards all environmental norms and standards, has no right to contaminate the entire region,” Bayramov stated.
He further stressed that the coalition’s stance remains unchanged: Armenian authorities must allow Azerbaijani NGOs and international organizations to conduct environmental monitoring at Armenia’s mining enterprises.
“Why does Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan continue to ignore our inquiries? As civil society organizations, we have sent an open letter to Armenia on this matter,” Bayramov added.
The unveiling of the digital map aims to raise international awareness and pressure Armenia to adhere to environmental regulations, ensuring greater transparency in its mining activities.
