The speech delivered by President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev at the opening of second residential complex in Aghdam was not only the presentation of an infrastructure project, but also a confirmation of the continuity of Azerbaijan’s resolute state policy in the liberated territories. Agdam, which for many years was called the “Hiroshima of the Caucasus,” is today being revived, life is returning, and the strength of the will of the Azerbaijani people is finding its real embodiment.
In his speech, the President particularly emphasized Armenia’s deliberate policy of plunder during the period of occupation. The head of state stressed that Aghdam was subjected to urbicide during the years of occupation. This was a clear expression of hostility by Armenia toward the people and state of Azerbaijan. Their goals were not merely to occupy the land. Their goal was to erase Azerbaijan’s presence in these territories, erase the historical heritage, and render the city uninhabitable and unviable.
"It is possible to say that Aghdam was subjected to urbicide during the years of occupation. In other words, the city was razed to the ground by the Armenian state. This was a clear example of a deliberate policy by Armenia and an expression of its hostility toward us. Their goals were also clear. First and foremost, it was looting, as the stones of all the buildings were dismantled one by one and sold in various places in Armenia. On the other hand, the Armenian state sought to fully erase the historical heritage of the Azerbaijani people in these regions. A third goal was to render the city uninhabitable, so that Azerbaijanis could never think of returning. But they made a mistake. We, the people of Azerbaijan, lived all these painful years with only one goal in mind: to return to our native ancestral land and restore these territories, cities, and villages. The people of Azerbaijan never came to terms with the occupation," said President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev at the opening of the second residential complex in the city of Aghdam on December 24.
Since the very beginning of the occupation, cultural heritage sites were destroyed, mosques were desecrated, and historical monuments were destroyed. Buildings were dismantled and transported to Armenia, looted down to scrap metal. Natural resources — forests, underground resources, gold and other deposits — were systematically exploited. In addition to all this, Armenia heavily mined these territories. The aim was clear — to prevent the future return of former internally displaced persons. The number of mine victims in the liberated territories after the occupation has become a bitter consequence of this criminal policy. Moreover, the involvement of certain Western companies in these illegal activities, and the absence of any real measures taken against them to date, has remained a clear example of international double standards.
Role of international institutions and sponsors
In his speech, President Ilham Aliyev explicitly noted the political, economic, and military support behind Armenia. International organizations that were supposed to work on resolving the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict effectively sided with the occupier. The OSCE Minsk Group serves as a classic example. Instead of resolving the issue, they acted to make the occupation permanent. The Azerbaijani state, however, did not agree to these dictates. Thanks to the President’s military and political will, Azerbaijan restored its territorial integrity, bringing the Minsk Group’s formal existence to a logical conclusion. For many years, Armenia was armed from various sources. Starting from 1998, there was large-scale supply of weapons and ammunition from Russia, and after 2016, the delivery of “Iskander-M” missiles, as well as weapon flows through various channels during the 44-day war, served as proof. One of the interesting points was how a state with minimal financial resources acquired weapons worth billions of dollars. It is clear that the forces behind Armenia turned the country into a regional tool. This policy continues to this day. The military support of France and India to Armenia is openly visible, and the participation of mercenaries from various countries fighting on Armenia’s side in Karabakh has already gone down in history.
During his speech, President Ilham Aliyev stated that the institutions of international organizations dealing with the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict were in solidarity with the Armenian Armenia, the occupying and plundering state: "I am sure that all our people, including the formerly displaced persons, knew and believed that historical justice would be restored. However, the institutions dealing with the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict, including those empowered by international organizations, held a different opinion. They were often in solidarity with Armenia, the occupying and plundering state. I would like to specifically note the incompetent and anti-Azerbaijani activities of the OSCE Minsk Group. This group was established in 1992, coinciding with the first stage of the occupation of our lands. Instead of resolving the issue, the goal of the group and its co-chairs was to make the occupation permanent, justify Armenia, and coerce the Azerbaijani people and state into accepting it. I had been in contact with the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs for 17 years, holding numerous meetings. Over the years, I observed that their goal was not to resolve the issue, end the occupation, or implement UN Security Council resolutions, but to make the occupation permanent. It seemed as though Armenia and the Minsk Group co-chairs were on one side of the negotiating table, and Azerbaijan was on the other. This was the conclusion of the countless meetings I had over these 17 years. They thought they could succeed, that they could convince us to give up our ancestral lands. But they were mistaken, just like the Armenian state. I repeatedly stated during the occupation that our people and state would never accept it and that we would return to our native lands at any cost. I stated this in my first swearing-in speech and throughout my presidency. Over the years, we were united around a single goal: leading our people forward in this sacred mission. Five years ago, the glorious Second Karabakh War and its results paved the way for the restoration of justice, our rights, international law, and national dignity."
Political and financial backing
The President of Azerbaijan noted that the occupation lasted for years because no sanctions were imposed on Armenia; on the contrary, it was provided with free weapons and financial support worth billions of dollars.
"Today, wars, clashes, and conflicts are taking place in different places around the world. What do either international organizations or large influential countries do immediately? They impose sanctions. Sanctions also have a huge impact, of course. In particular, if sanctions had been imposed on a small and almost poor country like Armenia, Armenia would have certainly ended the occupation. But not only were sanctions not imposed, on the contrary, some countries were giving Armenia free weapons – and not just a million dollars’ worth, but billions of dollars," President Ilham Aliyev stressed.
Peace process and biased decisions
Today, a process of peace and normalization between Azerbaijan and Armenia is underway, with negotiations continuing on the opening of communications and the regulation of mutual relations within a legal framework. However, this process did not emerge by chance or as an initiative dictated from outside. On the contrary, the main initiator of the idea of establishing sustainable peace in the region has been the Azerbaijani state itself. The authorship of the initial proposals for a peace agreement, its legal framework, and its core provisions also belongs to Azerbaijan, which is a clear demonstration of the country’s constructive position. At the same time, engaging in negotiations and striving for peace does not mean turning a blind eye to our history, the memory of our martyrs, or the crimes committed against our people.
"It is true that there is a peace process between Armenia and Azerbaijan now, and we were the ones who initiated this peace process. Everyone knows and should know that. We were the first to put forward the proposal, we are the authors of the peace treaty, and we are the authors of all the articles included in it. But how can we ever forget the occupation? How can we ever forget our martyrs? How can we ever forget the Khojaly victims and the deaths of other innocent people? We can never forget and should never forget that. Because this historical memory should always be in our hearts. The dear memory of our martyrs should always live in our hearts. We should never be misguided by sweet words. Let me say this again. I am not saying this for the first time. We must be vigilant. We must always be strong. That is why we have significantly strengthened our army in the last five years. And the whole world could see a part of this potential at the military parade last month. In order to achieve eternal peace, we must always be several times stronger than our potential enemies. We are doing and will continue to do it," President Ilham Aliyev noted.
Revival in Aghdam: Following the President’s Path
Today, within the framework of the “Following the President’s Path” project, restoration and reconstruction works are being carried out on an unprecedented scale in the liberated territories. New residential areas in Aghdam, along with schools, social facilities, roads, and infrastructure projects, once again demonstrate that the Azerbaijani state is returning its citizens to their native lands with honor and dignity. This is not merely physical reconstruction. It is the restoration of the spirit. It is the restoration of justice. It is a symbol of the unshakable will of the Azerbaijani people. The remarks voiced by Ilham Aliyev in Aghdam are a strategic message: Azerbaijan is no longer a weak, coerced, and dictated country. Azerbaijan is a state that speaks its mind, restores its rights, and is a guarantor of peace and security in the region.
The head of state stated that life is being restored in Aghdam – the return of residents and the construction of new residential neighborhoods is continuing in a consistent manner: "Life is already being restored in Aghdam district today. People live in three villages. I have participated in the ceremonies of re-commissioning these villages – Kangarli, Sarijali, and Khidirli. Several thousand people already live there now, and this relocation process continues. Today, people have already settled in the city of Aghdam, and 1,268 apartments in this residential neighborhood will accommodate the people of Aghdam. Construction work is underway in two more neighborhoods. There are 60 multi-storey buildings in this neighborhood alone. All conditions have been created, the necessary infrastructure has been built, and there are all the opportunities for a comfortable life here. Of course, it will take time to build the city of Aghdam exactly the way we want."
Future established in Karabakh strengthens the foundation for peace and stability
Every new school opened in Aghdam, every new street laid, and every new residential complex inaugurated confirms one truth: these lands belong to Azerbaijan forever. Armenia’s years-long destructive policy, the double standards of international organizations, and the destructive approaches of external sponsors have failed in the face of the strong political will of the Republic of Azerbaijan.
Today, in Garabagh, not only buildings are being constructed, but also justice, confidence, and the future. The Azerbaijani people look to the future with confidence, because peace, security, and development now prevail in these lands. And most importantly, without forgetting the lessons of this historic journey, we continue to move forward with wisdom and determination.
