Victory Day Of Azerbaijan: Ambassador H.E.Khazar Farhadov’s Speech

First of all, I extend my deep gratitude to all of you for joining us today to celebrate Victory Day of Azerbaijan. 8 November marks Victory Day in the Republic of Azerbaijan every year. I want to brief you on this occasion. Armenia kept Azerbaijani territories under illegal occupation almost 3 decades.

Despite the decisions and resolutions of the leading international institutions, Armenia ignored all these decisions and resolutions and continued to illegally occupy almost 20 percent of our territory. During the times of occupation, more than one million Azerbaijanis became refugees and IDPs.

Our people became the subject of ethnic cleansing. UN Security Council adopted 4 resolutions demanding immediate and unconditional withdrawal of Armenian troops from our territories but these resolutions were never implemented.

2 years ago, in 2020 under the leadership of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Azerbaijani Armed Forces, President Ilham Aliyev, our army liberated Azerbaijan’s territories from Armenian occupation and Armenia was forced to sign an act of capitulation, thus acknowledging Azerbaijan’s historic victory. Azerbaijan ensured its territorial integrity, and the fundamental rights of nearly one million displaced Azerbaijanis were restored.

Everything was razed into ground, cities and villages, buildings, historical monuments, 65 out of 67 mosques was destroyed by Armenia during the times of occupation. Even the graveyards were desecrated, destroyed, and looted.

Right after the liberation, Azerbaijan started large-scale restoration and reconstruction works in the liberated areas. In 2021 and 2022, the Azerbaijani Government allocated nearly $3 billion to the large-scale reconstruction and restoration activities in the liberated lands.

I would like to inform you that 2 international airports namely Fuzuli and Zangilan International Airports were built within very short period of time. We restore our lands.

The Great Return program started by Government of Azerbaijan. First Azerbaijani IDPs have already returned to liberated Zangilan region’s Aghali village, which was rebuilt based on the “smart village” concept. I must also mention about Pakistan’s support.

Brotherly Pakistan from the first day of the former Karabakh conflict, as well as the during Patriotic War in 2020 morally and politically supported just position of Azerbaijan and it has been highly appreciated by the Government and people of Azerbaijan.