Today, on the eve of the sixth anniversary of the glorious Victory in the Patriotic War, we recall with profound pride and reverence those days, beginning on 27 September 2020, when the whole of Azerbaijan anxiously followed the news from the front. War is a severe and demanding test for any state, its people and its armed forces. Yet when that war is fought to restore historical justice and territorial integrity, and to liberate ancestral lands held under occupation for almost thirty years, every trial must be faced with honour. Our people rose in a sacred struggle for our devastated cities and villages, in honour of our ancestors and for the future of generations to come—and emerged victorious.

We are grateful to Almighty God that, at this defining moment in our history, Azerbaijan is led by a leader as wise and resolute as President Ilham Aliyev. Under his leadership as the victorious Commander-in-Chief, our valiant Army defeated, in just 44 days, an enemy that had received support from abroad for many years. The President’s courage and military and political acumen, together with the unwavering support of our people, secured our great victory both on the battlefield and on the information front.

Each of Ilham Aliyev’s encounters with foreign journalists was comparable in significance to a strategic battle. Almost every week, representatives of the world’s leading television networks put questions to the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Azerbaijan—questions that were sometimes biased and frequently shaped by Armenian propaganda. Our President’s truthful, well-reasoned and persuasive answers conveyed the realities of the conflict and marked a decisive breakthrough on the information front. They not only awakened the international community to the truth but also revealed to the world the underlying causes of the conflict, the nature of Armenian aggression and the brutality of the policy of occupation.

Today, we celebrate the sixth anniversary of this Great Victory, so rightfully earned by our people, with boundless pride. From the early years of our independence following the collapse of the Soviet Union to the local counter-terrorism measures of 2023, which fully restored our sovereignty, Azerbaijan lived through a conflict into which it had been forcibly drawn. Yet we withstood every hardship and prevailed.

The magnificent architectural monuments that stand as symbols of our indomitable spirit and national pride are enduring embodiments of our victory. Victory Park in Baku is a living expression of profound respect for the cherished memory of our heroes who gave their lives for the Motherland. The Victory Arch in Khankendi stands as a majestic symbol of the triumph of historical justice and the permanence of our sovereignty over our liberated lands. While Victory Park in the capital expresses our people’s deep gratitude and honours the sacred memory of our martyrs, the Victory Arch in Khankendi crowns this struggle with triumph, opening wide the gates to a brighter future.

Over the past six years, our country has made extraordinary strides in reconstruction and development. Karabakh and East Zangezur—our scorched and mine-contaminated lands—are rising from the ashes. Modern cities and villages are being built, vital transport links are being established, and our compatriots are returning to their ancestral homes in thriving, smart communities with a bright future. Shusha, Khankendi, Khojaly, Lachin, Aghdam, Fuzuli, Zangilan, Kalbajar, Jabrayil and Gubadli are once again places where life flourishes, children’s laughter fills the air, and weddings bring communities together in celebration. Extensive restoration and reconstruction are breathing new life into every corner of Karabakh.

Today, under the leadership of President Ilham Aliyev, Azerbaijan is confidently advancing towards an ever stronger state, with political and economic strength and a high standard of social well-being. Our central goal is to secure lasting peace, stability and good-neighbourly relations in the region, founded on the force of law, national dignity and mutual respect.

Happy Victory Day!

Azer Asgarov