Baku: President Ilham Aliyev has reiterated Azerbaijan’s commitment to transforming the liberated lands into areas of progress, identifying this objective as a core component of national policy. Addressing participants at the 6th plenary meeting of the Global Operational Network of Anti-Corruption Law Enforcement Authorities, organized by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, he highlighted the historical challenges faced by Azerbaijan.
According to Azeri-Press News Agency, President Aliyev recounted the years of military aggression by Armenia and the subsequent occupation of Azerbaijani lands, during which ethnic cleansing and numerous crimes against humanity were committed against the Azerbaijani people. He described these actions as violations of both international law and human rights. The president also pointed out the illegal exploitation of natural resources and the destruction of infrastructure that occurred during the occupation.
President Aliyev emphasized that with the conclusion of the Patriotic War in 2020 and the anti-terrorist measures in 2023, Azerbaijan successfully restored its territorial integrity and sovereignty. He noted that the end of the occupation ushered in a new era marked by the restoration of justice and the return of life and the rule of law to the liberated territories. The transformation of these lands is now a primary focus of Azerbaijan’s state policy, with ongoing efforts to ensure lasting peace and stability in the region.