Baku remembers heroes of Patriotic War, highlights progress toward lasting peace

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan has issued a statement on the occasion of 27 September – Remembrance Day, marking the fifth anniversary of the start of the 44-day Patriotic War.

The ministry recalled that the war put an end to nearly 30 years of illegal occupation of Azerbaijani territories and brought aggression against the country to a close.

“Exactly five years ago today, the glorious Armed Forces of Azerbaijan, under the leadership of our victorious Commander-in-Chief, responded resolutely to 30 years of historical injustice, grave violations of our territorial integrity, sovereignty and international law,” the statement read.

The MFA noted that September 27 is officially observed each year as Commemoration Day, by decree of President Ilham Aliyev, in recognition of the profound respect and gratitude owed to the martyrs of the Patriotic War. “On September 27 – Commemoration Day, we solemnly pay tribute to the courageous sons and daughters who laid down their lives defending the territorial integrity and sovereignty of our country, and extend our heartfelt wishes for good health to the veterans who sacrificed their health in this cause,” the ministry stressed.

The statement underlined that in the five years since the start of the war, Azerbaijan has made significant progress in reconstruction and peacebuilding efforts in the post-conflict period. Life is returning to the liberated territories, with cities and villages devastated by decades of occupation undergoing revitalisation through international standards and advanced technologies.

The ministry drew attention to the ongoing landmine threat and the humanitarian demining activities being carried out, noting that Azerbaijan consistently communicates the dangers these hazards pose to the international community. Work is also underway to establish the fate of missing persons—one of the most painful legacies of the conflict—and to ensure accountability for crimes against humanity committed against Azerbaijani citizens during the years of Armenian aggression.

Turning to the peace process, the MFA highlighted that negotiations between Azerbaijan and Armenia, advanced through Baku’s initiative and determination, are already yielding tangible results. The statement recalled the summit held in Washington on August 8, 2025, on the eve of the fifth anniversary of the Patriotic War, during which Azerbaijan and Armenia signed a Joint Declaration, initialled the text of the “Agreement on Establishment of Peace and Inter-State Relations,” and, together with the United States as witness, undertook steps toward dissolving the OSCE Minsk process and its structures. The MFA called this a “significant breakthrough” toward the final closure of a conflict that had lasted nearly three decades.

The ministry also underscored the importance of preventing any recurrence of occupation and aggression, particularly the removal of territorial claims against Azerbaijan that remain enshrined in the Armenian constitution.

“At this pivotal moment, as we move closer than ever to achieving lasting peace, advancing the peace agenda stands as our highest duty in honour of the solemn memory of the heroes of the Patriotic War,” the statement continued.

Concluding, the MFA reiterated its tribute to the martyrs and the indivisibility of the nation: “Martyrs do not perish, the indivisibility of the motherland endures.”

By Tamilla Hasanova