November 8—We celebrate Victory Day with pride and joy. The fourth anniversary of our great victory over the invading army of Armenia is ending. This victory won in the 44-day Patriotic War, is forever engraved in the modern history of Azerbaijan. It allowed us to return our occupied lands and restore the sovereignty of our country after nearly thirty years.

This is not just a victory in the military sense – it is primarily a historical event marked by the celebration of justice and truth as a result of the titanic efforts of the President of Azerbaijan Mr. Ilham Aliyev on the world’s political platforms. The Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Azerbaijan Armed Forces Muzaffar led the country towards the goal he set for himself with confidence and determination: the return of our historical lands, the return of internally displaced persons to their homes. The foundation of today and our future was laid on the wise leadership of Mr. President, and the courage and professionalism of our Armed Forces. The success of the Azerbaijan Army would be impossible without the hope and confidence of the people, who unanimously support the country’s leadership policy and efforts to restore justice.

Our glorious army is constantly being modernized and improved. Of course, it should be, because the enemy is cunning. We know that revenge plans are being prepared in Armenia. Our victory thwarted the efforts of those who wanted to achieve their infamous political goals by ignoring calls for peace, sowing seeds of hatred and enmity between the two peoples, reigniting the war, and shedding blood again, using the aggressive mood of Armenian separatism and the Armenian society sitting abroad.

The people of Azerbaijan stand firmly in the position of peace and stability. But we will never forget the unfair attitude of the world’s political institutions, which should give a legal assessment to the occupation of Karabakh by the Armed Forces of Armenia and restrain the aggressor; how many lives the war took, caused destruction, pain, and bereavement to our people… May Victory Day always remind us of the sacrifices we made to live free and safe in our native land.

Happy holiday!

Azer Askerov