Islamabad, 28 September 2022 (TDI): Azerbaijan has secured its land and made a befitting reply to Armenian aggression during the Patriotic War on 27 September 2020.
Khazar Farhadov, Ambassador of Azerbaijan in Pakistan, was sharing insights about those historic times during a press briefing at the embassy about “September 27 – Commemoration Day”.
Ambassador said that Armenia kept Azerbaijan’s territories under occupation illegally for almost 30 years. During these years, Armenia always committed provocations against Azerbaijan.
It was two years back, on 27 September 2020, when Azerbaijan made a counter-offensive in response to Armenia’s yet another large-scale military attack on Azerbaijani Army positions and civilian settlements.
The counter-offensive later became known as Operation Iron Fist, which led to the Patriotic War. At the end of the 44-day Patriotic War, under the leadership of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Azerbaijani Armed Forces, President Ilham Aliyev, Azerbaijan’s army, liberated territories from Armenian occupation. Armenia was forced to sign an act of capitulation, thus acknowledging Azerbaijan’s historic victory.
As a sign of deep respect for Azerbaijani soldiers and officers, all the martyrs, who fought heroically in the Patriotic War, waved the Azerbaijani flag at the liberated lands and sacrificed their lives for the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan; September 27 is marked as Commemoration Day in Azerbaijan every year.
Ambassador said that the Patriotic War ended Armenia’s nearly 30-year-long policy of aggression. Azerbaijan ensured its territorial integrity, and the fundamental rights of nearly one million displaced Azerbaijanis were restored. Azerbaijan alone ensured the implementation of the relevant UN Security Council resolutions of 1993.
Ambassador Farhadov said that Pakistan, from the day first supported Azerbaijan in the Karabakh conflict to during the Patriotic War in 2020, morally and politically supported the just position of Azerbaijan, and the Government and people of Azerbaijan have highly appreciated it.
After the liberation, Azerbaijan started massive reconstruction and restoration 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.
Ambassador Farhadov said that Fuzuli International Airport, built just in 8 months, is operational now. Two more international airports, namely Zangilan and Lachin, are under construction. They will also be operational very soon.
While highlighting the recent efforts primarily related to the rehabilitation efforts by the government of Azerbaijan, Ambassador said that Azerbaijani IDPs have already returned to the liberated Zangilan region’s Aghali village, which was rebuilt based on the “smart village” concept.
Shusha, the cultural capital of Azerbaijan, has already become a venue for international events. “Pakistan Colors” group performed the “Bhangra” dance at the 5th “Kharibulbul” International Folklore Festival, which was held in Shusha in May 2022.
Highlighting the peace efforts in the region, Ambassador explained that Azerbaijan has offered Armenia peace immediately after the war. However, there is not a positive response from the Armenian side.
Ambassador also referred to the recent military provocations committed by Azerbaijan where more than 1,400 new landmines were planted in the Lachin district alone, and these mines were planted in 2021, after the war. Recently again at the border regions of Dashkasan and Kalbajar, Armenia used force against Azerbaijan. This is again a violation of peace talks and international law.
