Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan Leaders Visit Fuzuli; Review Reconstruction and Mosque Project

Fuzuli, The Gulf Observer: President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov on Monday visited several destroyed sites in the city of Fuzuli during a high-level inspection of ongoing reconstruction and development efforts.

During the visit, the presidents were briefed by Emin Huseynov, Special Representative of the President of Azerbaijan for the Aghdam, Fuzuli, and Khojavend districts, on the large-scale destruction and vandalism carried out during the 30-year occupation period, as well as on current and planned restoration works under the city’s Master Plan.

Officials noted that Fuzuli, once a densely populated and thriving urban center, had been extensively damaged and looted during the occupation. Following its liberation, a comprehensive Master Plan was swiftly developed and approved, outlining modern reconstruction based on contemporary urban planning principles.

Located at a strategic junction of major transport routes in the Garabagh and East Zangezur economic regions, Fuzuli spans nearly 2,000 hectares and is expected to accommodate around 50,000 residents by 2040. The city’s redevelopment is being carried out in line with the “Smart City” concept, focusing on sustainable infrastructure and advanced urban solutions.

During the visit, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov was also informed about a mosque being constructed in Fuzuli by the Turkmen side as part of cultural and humanitarian cooperation between the two countries.

The foundation of the mosque was laid virtually by President Ilham Aliyev and Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, along with other heads of state and government during the 12th Summit of the Council of Heads of State of the Organization of Turkic States held in Gabala in October last year.

The mosque complex will cover more than one hectare and will include two 40-meter-high minarets and a central dome rising 30 meters. It will have the capacity to accommodate up to 500 worshippers at a time, reflecting the shared cultural and spiritual ties between the two nations.