Karabakh is one of the oldest and most fertile corners of Azerbaijan. These territories have been part of Azerbaijani states since ancient times. In the middle of the 18th century, an independent state was established in Karabakh. This state was called Karabakh Khanate. The Karabakh Khanate was founded by Panahali Khan. As a result of the military aggression of Armenia against the Republic of Azerbaijan, 20% of our lands - Nagorno-Karabakh and 7 districts adjacent to it - were occupied. As a result of this military aggression, a large number of our compatriots, including children, women, and the elderly, were killed, and more than 1 million of our compatriots were expelled from their lands and became refugees.
The region of Karabakh has been an inseparable part of Azerbaijan for centuries, evidenced by its historical, cultural, and demographic ties to Azerbaijan. The ancient monuments, cultural artifacts, and linguistic connections serve as testaments to the deep-rooted Azerbaijani presence in this region.
Throughout history, Karabakh has been home to a diverse population, including Azerbaijanis, Armenians, and other ethnic groups. However, it's important to emphasize that the Azerbaijani population constituted the majority in Karabakh until the forced displacement during the Armenian occupation.
Armenian "historians" tried to claim the ancient cultural heritage of the region by falsifying the history of Karabakh, an ancient cultural center. By collecting fake "facts" and installing "legal documents", they tried to disguise their invasions and the fact that the lands of Karabakh belong to Armenians. Fake Armenian "archaeologists" describe the Albanian Christian monuments of Karabakh as "Armenian monuments" and claim that the territories between the Kura and Araz rivers are "ancient Armenian lands". However, it is clear that Armenians never lived compactly in these regions, as well as in the Caucasus, until the 19th century. Therefore, the history and culture of Karabakh belongs to Azerbaijan since ancient times. Karabakh is the ancient land of Azerbaijan.
The rich heritage of the Karabakh region, which has an ancient history, has always attracted attention. Karabakh has rich cultural examples, art, historical monuments, examples of folk crafts, carpet weaving, world-famous music, and a unique style of mugham. The samples of folk art, household items, patterns on them, paintings on jewelry found during scientific researches and archaeological excavations from time to time prove the ancient culture of Karabakh. Paris, London, Berlin, Rome, Tehran, Istanbul, etc. Among the rich museum collections of such magnificent cities, many examples of Azerbaijani art and folk creativity are the works of Karabakh artists. In addition, Karabakh carpets are exhibited in the most famous museums of the world.
The late 20th century witnessed the illegal occupation of Karabakh and surrounding territories by Armenian forces, resulting in the displacement of hundreds of thousands of Azerbaijanis. This conflict deprived Azerbaijan of its sovereign control over its territory, leading to the loss of lives, severe human rights violations, and the destruction of cultural heritage sites.
Despite numerous attempts at negotiation and mediation, the conflict persisted for decades, causing immense suffering for both Azerbaijani and Armenian populations. However, in 2020, Azerbaijan, through a legitimate and justified military operation, successfully restored its territorial integrity, reclaiming control over its lands, including Karabakh.
Azerbaijan envisions Karabakh as a region of peace, reconciliation, and prosperity for all its inhabitants, irrespective of their ethnic background. The government has articulated plans for the reconstruction and development of the area, aiming to create an environment conducive to coexistence, economic growth, and cultural diversity. Karabakh's restoration to Azerbaijani control marks a significant milestone in the country's history. Azerbaijan remains committed to upholding the rights of all individuals residing in the region and fostering an atmosphere of tolerance, peace, and progress. The return of Karabakh is not merely a territorial victory but also a reaffirmation of Azerbaijan's commitment to justice, sovereignty, and the peaceful resolution of conflicts.
The national leader always cherished a dream of liberating Karabakh from the foes and restoring Azerbaijan's integrity. He was convinced that Azerbaijan could only achieve fair resolution of the conflict if strong, truly independent, and highly recognized on a global scale. Many years have passed since Heydar Aliyev sagely said: "We are going to resolve the Karabakh issue. We need time. No-one can take Azerbaijan's lands away. Our occupied lands will be surely taken back, whatever the cost."The great leader's wish has come true under his worthy successor, President and Commander-in-Chief of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev; the brave Azerbaijani army under his command liberated our lands from Armenian occupation.
Led by President and Commander-in-Chief of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, the glorious victory of Azerbaijani army in the Patriotic War has finally put the lid on the long-lasting conflict with Armenia, one of the most tragic in the history of the last decades. The 44-day war, which was raging in September-November 2020, resulted in Azerbaijani Forces smashing Armenian occupants, sending them into disarray and effectively destroying them. Armenia's capitulation was a logical consequence of the aggressive policy it had pursued for almost 30 years towards Azerbaijan by seizing 20 percent of its lands.
Following the liberation of Karabakh, Azerbaijan has initiated extensive reconstruction efforts aimed at restoring infrastructure, homes, and cultural landmarks destroyed during the occupation. The government is committed to facilitating the return of displaced Azerbaijanis to their ancestral lands and ensuring their rights to live in peace and security. Moreover, Azerbaijan has emphasized the importance of creating an inclusive society in Karabakh, one that respects the rights of all ethnic groups and promotes tolerance and understanding. Plans for educational programs, cultural exchanges, and economic development are underway to foster an environment where diversity is celebrated, and all inhabitants can thrive.
