Statement of the Milli Majlis of the Republic of Azerbaijan on the occasion of the fifth anniversary of 8 November - Victory Day

On November 8, 2025, the people of Azerbaijan will commemorate Victory Day with a sense of profound national pride, marking the conclusion of the decisive stage of the long-standing struggle to restore territorial integrity and state sovereignty. The Victory achieved in the 44-day Patriotic War of September–November 2020 is among the most honourable and fateful events in the nation’s history.

Azerbaijan has strived to liberate its lands through peaceful means, whilst adhering to international law, during the nearly 30 years when part of its internationally recognized territory was under occupation by the Armenian armed forces. Four resolutions of the UN Security Council that unequivocally affirmed the sovereignty and territorial integrity of our state and the inviolability of its borders and demanded the immediate and unconditional withdrawal of Armenian armed forces from the occupied territories of Azerbaijan, together with decisions and resolutions of other international organizations, established the legal basis for resolving the conflict. Unfortunately, international institutions displayed a lack of resolve in implementing their decisions and have refused to call the aggressor by name, while the peace negotiations conducted through the mediation of the OSCE Minsk Group were used either to formalize, in one way or another, the consequences of the occupation or, when that was not possible, to stall for time. The expansion of a policy of illegal settlement in the occupied territories, attempts to alter the format of the negotiations, statements by Armenia’s senior officials voicing claims of “a new war for new territories,” as well as their other declarations and actions, laid bare the true intentions of the occupying state.

For decades, the leadership of Azerbaijan has consistently declared that the Republic of Azerbaijan can never consent to the bandit-like seizure, occupation, or forcible separation of any part of its sovereign territory, and that it will utilize all available means to ensure the restoration of its territorial integrity. On 27 September 2020, following yet another act of aggression by the armed forces of Armenia, the Republic of Azerbaijan, exercising its inherent right of self-defence under the Charter of the United Nations, launched counter-offensive operations with the aim of compelling the aggressor to peace and ending the occupation of Azerbaijani territories.

Under the leadership of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, the victorious Supreme Commander-in-Chief Ilham Aliyev, the Azerbaijani Armed Forces inscribed new glorious pages in the history of world warfare. Heavy blows were inflicted upon the occupying forces, and large numbers of their manpower and military equipment were destroyed. A vast portion of our country’s territory that had been under occupation was liberated, including the districts of Fuzuli, Jabrayil, Zangilan, and Gubadli, the settlements of Hadrut and Sugovushan, and, in total, nearly 300 residential localities. One of the most honourable pages of the Patriotic War was November 8, the day when Shusha, the pearl and crown of Karabakh and the cradle of Azerbaijani culture, was freed from captivity.

Realizing that it could not withstand the Azerbaijani Armed Forces and was doomed to destruction, Armenia acknowledged its defeat. The 44-day Patriotic War ended on November 10, 2020, with Armenia signing the act of capitulation. The affirmation of the Victory achieved on the battlefield in the political and diplomatic arena ensured the peaceful return of the Aghdam, Kalbajar, and Lachin districts to Azerbaijan.

Ending the occupation of Azerbaijani lands by successful fulfilment of the will of the National Leader Heydar Aliyev and the restoration of historical justice, liberated our people from the long-endured pain of defeat and transformed them into a victorious nation. It has been demonstrated to the entire world that Azerbaijan is a powerful state that does not reconcile with injustice, and henceforth, no one can speak to it in the language of force or coercion.

The visionary domestic and foreign policy pursued by the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Mr. Ilham Aliyev, was the decisive factor in achieving the historic Victory in the 44-day Patriotic War. Owing to the implemented socio-economic development strategy and well-conceived measures aimed at achieving economic independence, Azerbaijan attained financial stability and the capacity to conduct warfare without reliance on external assistance.

Necessary steps were taken in the field of military construction. Comprehensive reforms were carried out within the defence system, a modern professional army was established, and the military industry was strengthened.

The pursuit of a foreign policy based on the principles of sovereignty and mutual respect has strengthened Azerbaijan’s international image. Through the use of all available means, the truth about the occupation of Azerbaijani territories was conveyed to the global community.

A strong unity has been established between the people, the government, and the armed forces. A young generation has been raised, ready to liberate their native lands from occupation. All political forces have united around the idea of restoring territorial integrity.

The governance model created in the country has enabled Azerbaijan to act accurately and decisively at the necessary moment. The national unity of our people, drawing strength from the ideals of Azerbaijani identity, was transformed into an “iron fist” against the enemy on the battlefield and became one of the principal factors in the victory.

Regrettably, during the conduct of hostilities, the armed forces of Armenia flagrantly violated the norms and principles of international law, including the Geneva Conventions of 12 August 1949, and committed horrific crimes against the civilian population. As a result of attacks with ballistic missiles and prohibited white‑phosphorus and cluster munitions on cities and districts far from the front line, such as Ganja, Barda, Tartar, Mingachevir, Gabala, the Siyazan and Khizi districts, and other settlements, more than 100 civilians, including 11 children were killed, and over 450 people were injured. These acts of state terrorism constitute war crimes and crimes against humanity.

Despite the opponent’s bloody attacks and atrocities, the Azerbaijani Army did not deviate from the norms of international humanitarian law, targeting only the enemy’s armed forces and military facilities, and prevented harm to civilians and residential areas.

As a result of the anti-terrorist operation carried out on September 19–20, 2023, the criminal junta regime established by Armenia was dismantled, and Azerbaijan’s sovereignty was fully restored across its entire territory. This remarkable achievement became the logical continuation and culmination of the historic Victory attained in the 44-day Patriotic War.

Thus, the centuries-long chain of aggression and ethnic cleansing perpetrated by militant Armenian nationalism over nearly two hundred years has been brought to an end.

The Milli Majlis of the Republic of Azerbaijan expresses its deep respect for the cherished memory of the martyrs who sacrificed their lives for the Motherland and extends its gratitude to our soldiers and officers who risked their lives on the battlefield and contributed to our great victory.

Today, the liberated Karabakh and Eastern Zangezur have transformed into zones of innovative and sustainable development. Cities and villages that were razed to the ground by the occupiers are being restored. Airports, roads, bridges, tunnels, and other infrastructure facilities are being constructed; electricity and water networks are being established. A new model of Azerbaijan’s future development is taking shape in the region. Internally displaced persons are being returned to their ancestral homelands.

It must, however, be noted with regret that the hundreds of thousands of anti-tank and anti-personnel mines planted by Armenia during the occupation period and after the war hinder the rapid progress of reconstruction and restoration efforts across Azerbaijani territories. Since the cessation of hostilities, more than 400 civilians and military personnel have been killed or injured as a result of mine explosions.

Despite all these losses, it was Azerbaijan that set forth five fundamental principles to establish regional stability and normalize relations with Armenia, demonstrating political will and a constructive approach to advancing the peace agenda. The draft peace agreement was likewise prepared by Azerbaijan. In August of this year, in Washington, the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia signed a Joint Declaration in the presence of the President of the United States, and a peace agreement was initialled between the two countries, marking the end of the period of conflict and paving the way for lasting peace and stability in our region.

The Zangezur Corridor, which is to be implemented in accordance with the agreements reached, will become an important transportation link connecting continents. Another significant outcome of the Washington agreements was the dissolution of the OSCE Minsk Group.

The Milli Majlis of the Republic of Azerbaijan, emphasizing the historic significance of the victory in the Second Karabakh War, once again reaffirms its commitment to strengthening the independence, territorial integrity, and sovereignty of our state. The Milli Majlis, expressing its support for the efforts of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan aimed at establishing an environment of peace and cooperation in the region, calls upon our people to unite even more closely around their Leader.

(The statement was adopted at the session of the Milli Majlis of the Republic of Azerbaijan on October 31, 2025)