Azerbaijan has finished work on the integration of its liberated territories into the cadastral information system, said Rustam Shahbazov, Deputy Head of the State Service on Property Issues under Azerbaijan’s Economy Ministry, Report informs.

He made this announcement at a briefing on the recent amendments to the Land Code.

"This year, we have largely completed the categorization of lands and the creation of an accounting system," Shahbazov stated. "Next year, clarification work will be carried out in some areas, while in others, the process is fully complete. The process of identifying the population that will settle as land users has also been finalized."

Shahbazov added that as per the relevant decree of the President, the management and distribution of agricultural lands have been entrusted to the Ministry of Agriculture. The official added that a special working group has been formed to identify land users and ensure efficient use of land resources in the liberated territories.

He emphasized that new approaches to land management were approved by a presidential decree on November 27. According to this decree, lands will be managed in two directions: For the population that will settle, at least 5 hectares of land will be provided on preferential terms; For investment purposes, lands will be leased based on investment competitions after infrastructure is provided.

"The Cabinet of Ministers has been instructed to approve the rules of land use for the settling population. The process of leasing lands will be carried out by a special commission, which will include representatives of the State Service on Property Issues," Shahbazov noted.

The main goal in the liberated territories is to prevent land fragmentation and ensure a sustainable agricultural infrastructure. "Through a planned and systematic approach, efficient use of lands will be ensured, and long-term agricultural opportunities will be created for the settling population," Shahbazov concluded.