Turkman delegation explores Azerbaijan’s Shusha during forum

A delegation of the Turkman non-governmental organisations, currently in Azerbaijan to attend the forum "Turkman Heritage: Solidarity of Civil Societies" has paid a visit to Shusha city this week. 

The visit was organised under the auspices of the Azerbaijani Agency for State Support to Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), Caliber.Az reports via local media.

During their visit, the delegation was given an in-depth briefing on the extensive restoration and reconstruction projects that are currently being carried out in Shusha.

The restoration of Shusha is a top priority for Azerbaijan due to its historical significance and its cultural, economic, and administrative importance. After enduring 28 years of Armenian occupation, Azerbaijan is focused on rebuilding the city and preserving its heritage. These efforts come in the context of decades of conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan over the Karabakh region. In the 1990s, Armenia occupied about 20 per cent of Azerbaijan's territory, displacing millions of Azerbaijanis.

However, the situation shifted in 2020 when Azerbaijan regained much of its territory, including Shusha, following a 44-day second Karabakh war. On September 19, 2023, Azerbaijan initiated a one-day anti-terrorist operation aimed at neutralising remaining illegal Armenian armed groups in the Karabakh region. The following day, Armenian separatist forces agreed to disarm, and on September 28, the separatist regime in the region announced its dissolution.

By Naila Huseynova