ZANGILAN, Azerbaijan,
August 2. The liberation of Karabakh and Eastern
Zangezur from occupation was not only the restoration of
Azerbaijan's territorial integrity but also a historic event of
major political significance that brought pride to the entire
Turkic world, Deputy Speaker of Azerbaijan's Parliament Musa
Gasimli said, Trend's
correspondent reports from the event.


Speaking at the opening ceremony of the 7th Summer Camp of
Diaspora Youth in Zangilan, Gasimli said young members of the
Azerbaijani diaspora should have a deep understanding of the
country's modern history and accurately present Azerbaijan's
achievements in the countries where they live.


"You have witnessed two very different realities. On one side,
there is the destruction, vandalism, and barbarism caused by the
occupation; on the other, there is reconstruction, development, and
the new reality created by the Azerbaijani people. It is important
to understand this contrast and communicate it to the world," he
said.


Gasimli argued that several events in Azerbaijan's modern
history, including the 1920 occupation, the transfer of Zangezur to
Armenia, and the establishment of the Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous
Oblast, were decisions directed against Azerbaijan's statehood.
"The main objective behind transferring Zangezur was to sever the
overland connection between Türkiye and the Turkic world. The
creation of the Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Oblast was part of a
long-term geopolitical strategy," he said.


According to Gasimli, the January 20, 1990 tragedy and the
subsequent activities of National Leader Heydar Aliyev marked
decisive stages in Azerbaijan's

He said Heydar Aliyev's return to power in 1993, at a time of
deep political crisis, ensured the preservation of Azerbaijani
statehood. "The Horadiz operation, the achievement of a ceasefire,
and the signing of the 'Contract of the Century' laid the
foundation for Azerbaijan's future development strategy. The
progress we see in the country today is built on that far-sighted
policy," he noted.







The deputy speaker stressed that Azerbaijan's victory in the
44-day Patriotic War was a milestone not only in the country's
history but also in the history of the entire Turkic world. "The
liberation of the occupied territories was not merely the
liberation of Karabakh and Eastern Zangezur. It was an event that
brought pride to the entire Turkic world and serves as an example
of the restoration of justice and international law," he said.


Gasimli added that the victory was achieved not only through
military strength but also through an effective political and
diplomatic strategy. "It was the result of success on the military,
diplomatic, and ideological fronts," he emphasized.


He also described the scale of reconstruction and restoration
work in the liberated territories as one of the rarest examples in
global practice. "It is difficult to find another country that has
supported more than one million internally displaced persons with
its own resources, won a war without external assistance, and then
rebuilt its liberated territories entirely from the state budget.
We are restoring not only infrastructure but also culture, science,
education, and normal life," he said.


Concluding his remarks, Gasimli called on young members of the
Azerbaijani diaspora to actively defend the country's national
interests abroad. "Wherever you live or work, you must represent
Azerbaijan, our state, and our flag with dignity. Responding to
unfounded allegations and smear campaigns against Azerbaijan with
facts is an important responsibility of every Azerbaijani,
especially young people," he said.