Italian parliamentarians touring Azerbaijan’s liberated regions PHOTO

A delegation from the Parliament of Italy, consisting of members from the Italy-Azerbaijan Friendship Group, has arrived in the liberated territories of Azerbaijan for an official visit.

The delegation’s first stop was in Aghdam, where they toured the historic Imaret complex, a key site in the city that has undergone significant restoration efforts since its liberation, Caliber.Az reports, citing local media sources.

The visit, which is part of a broader tour of the liberated regions, is aimed at strengthening ties between Italy and Azerbaijan and showcasing the ongoing restoration projects in the region. The delegation was accompanied by Azerbaijani Member of Parliament (MP) Azer Karimli.

Then they arrived in Khankendi, where they were welcomed by the Special Representative of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan in Khankendi, Aghdara, and Khojaly districts, along with local officials.

In Khankendi, the delegation explored several important landmarks, including Victory Square and the Karabakh University, which are part of the ongoing reconstruction efforts. The parliamentarians were briefed on the efforts to rebuild the region, which was severely impacted by decades of Armenian occupation.

Notably, Aghdam, once a heavily destroyed city during the decades-long Armenian occupation, has become a symbol of Azerbaijan’s large-scale rebuilding projects in the Karabakh region following the 2020 Second Karabakh War.

The Imaret complex, which the delegation visited, is a significant cultural and historical site. The complex was heavily damaged during the Armenian occupation of Aghdam, particularly in the 1990s, when much of the city was reduced to rubble. During the occupation, the Imaret complex was neglected and fell into disrepair, with many of its architectural elements and historical artefacts lost or destroyed. However, since the city’s liberation in 2020, Azerbaijan has focused on the restoration and preservation of its historical sites, and the Imaret is a prime example of these efforts.

In Shusha, the delegation explored the city's landmarks and was briefed on the restoration projects underway there.

Italy has been one of the European countries actively supporting Azerbaijan’s reconstruction agenda through diplomatic, cultural, and potential economic engagements. The Italy-Azerbaijan Friendship Group within the Italian Parliament plays a role in strengthening bilateral ties, promoting inter-parliamentary cooperation, and encouraging dialogue on key regional issues.

By Khagan Isayev