President Ilham Aliyev at military parade in Baku: key messages

Today, November 8, a military parade is taking place at Azadliq Square in Baku on the occasion of the fifth anniversary of Victory Day – November 8. Azerbaijani President and Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces Ilham Aliyev delivered a speech at the parade.

The head of state congratulated the servicemen, guests, and the entire Azerbaijani people on the fifth anniversary of this glorious celebration, and welcomed the leaders of brotherly countries and delegations who had accepted his invitation.

According to Aliyev, President of Türkiye, esteemed Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, is participating in today’s parade. He noted that Erdoğan provided support to Azerbaijan, the Azerbaijani people, and the Azerbaijani army from the very beginning of the Second Karabakh War. His political and moral support gave additional strength and inspiration. Under Erdoğan’s leadership, the brotherly Turkish people consistently supported Azerbaijan. His words during the war, “Azerbaijan is not alone; Türkiye is with Azerbaijan,” sent a very serious message to the entire world. The Azerbaijani people will never forget this fraternal support.

The head of state emphasised that, one year after the war and the glorious celebration, the presidents of Türkiye and Azerbaijan, by signing the Shusha Declaration in the historic city of Shusha, elevated bilateral relations to the highest level – that of alliance. Today, the participation of Turkish military personnel in our parade is yet another demonstration of unity. Five years ago, they were also present at the Victory Parade.

The president also stated that Prime Minister of brotherly Pakistan, Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, is participating in today’s parade. During the 44-day Patriotic War, the state and people of Pakistan showed support and solidarity with Azerbaijan. Today, for the first time, Pakistani servicemen are taking part on Azadliq Square.

Aliyev called this a demonstration of the unity of the three countries, peoples, and armies of Azerbaijan, Türkiye, and Pakistan.

President Aliyev reminded that in the early 1990s, as a result of Armenia’s policy against Azerbaijan, about 20 per cent of the country’s territory was occupied. Nearly one million Azerbaijani citizens were forced to live as refugees and internally displaced persons. War crimes were committed against our people, and the Khojaly genocide took place. A policy of ethnic cleansing was pursued.

Aliyev stressed that this did not break the will of the Azerbaijani people. Azerbaijan never intended to reconcile itself with the occupation. While engaging in peace talks, Baku consistently declared that if negotiations failed to yield results, Azerbaijan would liberate its historical and ancestral lands by all means necessary, including military action. The outcome of years of negotiations was zero. The main reason for this was that Armenia never intended to voluntarily return even an inch of our land.

The head of state noted that some countries standing behind Armenia provided it with political, economic, and military support and expressed solidarity with it. Their aim was to detach our ancestral Karabakh land from Azerbaijan and annex it to Armenia. Our policy, however, was aimed at the full restoration of territorial integrity and sovereignty.

Aliyev noted that as early as 2003, when he was first elected President of Azerbaijan, he had declared that, whatever the cost, Azerbaijan’s native lands would be liberated. The country was building up its strength, and year by year, month by month, that strength continued to grow. In all leading international organisations, Azerbaijan’s position on the conflict prevailed. Many decisions and resolutions formed the legal and political foundation of our victory.

A strong economy was built in Azerbaijan, and without this achievement, the country’s financial capacity would have been very limited. Azerbaijan achieved economic independence, and today it is not dependent on any country economically. This gave the nation great political strength. These factors, combined with others, brought Baku closer to its glorious victory. Complete socio-political stability was restored in Azerbaijan. Civic solidarity, national unity, and the unity between the people and the government were among the key factors.

A young generation was raised in the spirit of patriotism and love for the Motherland. It was this Azerbaijani youth who, over the course of 44 days, liberated the country’s historic lands from the occupiers. Patriotism and moral integrity were among the decisive factors behind our glorious victory.

The President emphasised that building a strong army had always remained a top priority. A powerful army and robust armed forces were established, and the combat capability of our military was significantly enhanced. The state provided the army with the most modern types of weapons and equipment. All these and other factors determined our victory – our glorious victory.

Armenia, however, failed to draw the right conclusions and, on the eve of the Second Karabakh War, became even more aggressive. It began putting forward new territorial claims against us. Yerevan threatened us with a new war, even declaring that they would fight for “new territories.” They boasted that their tanks would roll through the streets of Baku, that they would drink tea in Baku. In reality, their wishes came true — but it was we who made them come true. Their tanks are now displayed in the Military Trophy Park, and some of them are now facing justice in Baku, drinking Azerbaijani tea in a detention centre.

The Supreme Commander-in-Chief noted that during the 44 days of the war, our glorious Armed Forces advanced every single day — not retreating by a single step, not for a single moment. They demonstrated the highest professionalism, courage, heroism, and self-sacrifice. May Allah have mercy on all our martyrs! Azerbaijan showed the whole world that it is a strong state and a victorious nation — a truth proven on the battlefield.

Aliyev recalled that during the 44 days of the war, more than 300 cities and villages were liberated from the enemy. Advancing while driving out the occupiers, the Azerbaijani army moved forward, and every liberated city and village — every Azerbaijani flag raised there — inspired both the army and the people even more.

Finally, on November 8, the city of Shusha, once considered an impregnable fortress, was liberated from Armenian occupation. The glorious victorious march of the Azerbaijani army continued successfully from September 27 to November 8. Overcoming mountains, rivers, and valleys, and scaling sheer cliffs, our soldiers advanced toward the glorious victory. The liberation of Shusha exactly five years ago broke the backbone of the Armenian army. After that, they capitulated.

On the following day — during the night of November 9 to 10 — Armenia officially signed the act of capitulation. Thus, Azerbaijan itself restored its territorial integrity, historical justice, international law, and national dignity.

Today, Karabakh and East Zangezur are being reborn. The Great Return program is being implemented — schools, hospitals, industrial enterprises, power plants, reservoirs, and residential buildings are being constructed. More than 60,000 people are already living, working, and studying on the liberated lands.

The head of state once again congratulated the Azerbaijani people on these historic achievements, noting that the nation has lived the past five years with a deep sense of pride. He expressed confidence that the Azerbaijani people will continue to live forever as a heroic and victorious nation, and that the Azerbaijani state will forever remain a victorious state.

The Azerbaijani people are the rightful owners of these lands — they have returned to Karabakh and East Zangezur, and will live on these lands forever. The Azerbaijani flag will forever fly over these territories.

In conclusion, the head of state wished the people of Azerbaijan good health and continued success. President Ilham Aliyev ended his speech with the slogan: “Karabakh is Azerbaijan!”