ISLAMABAD, Nov 4 (APP):Ambassador of Azerbaijan to Pakistan, H.E. Irfan Davudov has said that the historic victory achieved during the 44-day Patriotic War was made possible by the courage and sacrifices of Azerbaijan’s armed forces, the political, diplomatic and military vision of President and Supreme Commander-in-Chief Ilham Aliyev, and above all, the unity of the Azerbaijani people. Addressing a ceremony marking the 6th Anniversary of Victory Day of the Republic …
“Azerbaijan’s 44-Day Patriotic War Victory” marked as Ambassador, highlights national unity, leadership
ISLAMABAD, Nov 4 (APP):Ambassador of Azerbaijan to Pakistan, H.E. Irfan Davudov has said that the historic victory achieved during the 44-day Patriotic War was made possible by the courage and sacrifices of Azerbaijan’s armed forces, the political, diplomatic and military vision of President and Supreme Commander-in-Chief Ilham Aliyev, and above all, the unity of the Azerbaijani people.
Addressing a ceremony marking the 6th Anniversary of Victory Day of the Republic of Azerbaijan, held here Wednesday, Ambassador of Azerbaijan to Pakistan, H.E. Irfan Davudov said that November 8 had become one of the most glorious and defining day in Azerbaijan’s history, marking the beginning of a new era for the country.
The ambassador said that November 8th, was designated as Victory Day by President Ilham Aliyev through a presidential decree in recognition of the liberation of Shusha, Azerbaijan’s cultural capital and one of the most strategically important locations in the Karabakh region.
Recalling the circumstances that led to the 44-day war, Ambassador Davudov said that war had never been the choice of the Azerbaijani state or its people, adding that Azerbaijan had pursued peaceful means for nearly three decades to resolve the conflict arising from Armenia’s military aggression and occupation of internationally recognized Azerbaijani territories.
The envoy said Azerbaijan had remained committed to the negotiation process throughout those years and had made every possible effort to avoid war, keeping in view its moral, humanitarian, social and economic consequences for both sides.
However, he said, Armenia’s continued refusal to withdraw from the occupied territories, its non-compliance with international resolutions and repeated provocations against Azerbaijani armed forces and civilians had made military action inevitable.
The ambassador said the Second Karabakh War, also known as the Patriotic War, resulted in the liberation of large parts of Azerbaijani territories that had remained under occupation for almost 30 years.
Ambassador Davudov said that by liberating its territories, Azerbaijan had also fulfilled four United Nations Security Council resolutions adopted in 1993, which called for the immediate, unconditional and complete withdrawal of occupying forces but had remained unimplemented for nearly three decades.
He observed that although international law, including the UN Charter, recognized Azerbaijan’s right to self-defence and the liberation of its occupied territories, the country had initially exhausted diplomatic avenues to achieve a peaceful settlement.
The envoy said the memory of Azerbaijani soldiers and civilians who sacrificed their lives for the country’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity would always remain alive.
“We once again commemorate with gratitude the cherished memory of our brave martyrs who sacrificed their lives for the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of our country,” he said, paying tribute to their courage, dedication and love for their homeland.
Emphasizing the importance of lasting peace, Ambassador Davudov said military victory was a significant achievement, but sustainable peace was essential for the future of the region and coming generations.
He said Azerbaijan had proposed a peace agreement with Armenia immediately after the end of the Patriotic War and continued to support negotiations despite numerous challenges and difficulties.
“We remain committed to building a future based on mutual respect, sovereignty, territorial integrity, good-neighbourly relations and regional cooperation,” he said.
Highlighting post-war reconstruction, the ambassador said Azerbaijan had launched extensive restoration and development activities in the liberated territories, including the construction of residential settlements, infrastructure, roads and bridges, alongside the rehabilitation of religious and cultural monuments destroyed during the occupation.
According to the ambassador, more than 120,000 people, including workers and former internally displaced persons returning for permanent residence, were currently present in the liberated territories.
He described the restoration of security, stability and normal life in the liberated areas as a major achievement of Azerbaijan’s domestic and foreign policies, founded by the country’s national leader, Heydar Aliyev, and pursued under President Ilham Aliyev.
The ambassador also expressed profound gratitude to the government and people of Pakistan for their consistent political, diplomatic and moral support during Azerbaijan’s difficult years.
He said Pakistan’s principled position, political courage and adherence to international law had been highly appreciated by the Azerbaijani state and people, particularly at a time when double standards and selective approaches continued to prevail in international affairs.
Ambassador Davudov said relations between Pakistan and Azerbaijan, based on mutual respect, solidarity and mutually beneficial cooperation, were currently experiencing their highest level of development.
He cited high-level exchanges, participation in international events, cooperation between media organizations, educational and scientific institutions, government bodies, non-governmental organizations and business communities as important pillars of the growing partnership.
He also highlighted expanding military and technical cooperation between the two countries, describing it as an important dimension of their strategic relationship.
