National leader Heydar Aliyev, taking into account the need to further strengthen the relations of our compatriots living in different countries of the world with the independent Republic of Azerbaijan, to jointly discuss issues related to ensuring unity and solidarity between them, on May 23, 2001, he signed the Decree "On holding the First Congress of World Azerbaijanis" and on November 9-10 of the same year, the First Congress of World Azerbaijanis was held in Baku. This meeting defined the future prospects as an important step towards the unification of our compatriots abroad around a common goal and a single idea. At the same time, he laid the foundation of unity and solidarity of our compatriots around the idea of Azerbaijaniness.
The genius's diaspora strategy was further developed by President Ilham Aliyev, who came to power in 2003. With the establishment of the State Committee for Work with Diaspora on the basis of the State Committee for Work with Azerbaijanis Living Abroad, a new stage in the development of this field began with the decree of the head of state dated November 19, 2008. After that, important progress was achieved in objectively conveying the truths of Azerbaijan to the world community as one of the important tasks ahead of the mentioned committee. The fact that Armenia occupied the historical lands of our country, turned millions of our compatriots into refugees and displaced people, and committed massacres against our people was brought to the attention of the international community.
This activity of our diaspora became more noticeable during the Second Karabakh War. During the days of the Patriotic War, our compatriots living in foreign countries spread the truth to the world in the direction of ending the policy of aggression of Armenia and restoring the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan, held actions in foreign countries, addressed statements and appeals to state and government leaders of various countries, members of parliament, and international organizations.
On April 22, another historic event took place in Shusha, the pearl of Azerbaijan, our Cultural Capital. Thus, on Friday, the 5th Congress of World Azerbaijanis started work, and the President of Azerbaijan for the first time in history met with the representatives of the Azerbaijani diaspora in Shusha and gave a speech in front of them. The holding of the "Congress of World Azerbaijanis" in Shusha has a symbolic meaning. The great leader said during the first congress that the day will come when we will hold this congress in the city of Shusha. It was a result today as well."
Thus, Shusha hosted a magnificent ceremony. The Victory Congress of the World Azerbaijanis is as important as the Shusha Declaration signed in Shusha on June 15 of last year.
According to official information, nearly 400 diaspora representatives from 65 countries of the world participated in the historic Victory Congress held in Shusha for two days. From the tribune installed in front of the historic buildings of Shusha, which were destroyed by Armenian vandals, very important messages were given to Azerbaijanis and Armenians of the world, as well as to the forces and capitals that stimulated the occupation over the years and do not hesitate to patronize it even today.
Speaking at the 5th Congress of World Azerbaijanis, which is the focus of the international community, President Ilham Aliyev gave detailed information about what was said. The head of our state said: "I know that you and millions of Azerbaijanis like you living abroad were closely following the progress of the war both in their own countries, at the same time, in your speeches, in your comments, using social networks and other opportunities, you conveyed the right voice of Azerbaijan and the right cause to the public of the countries where you live...".
Adding to his thoughts, the head of state said that there is an urgent need to spread Azerbaijan's rightful voice to the world even today, because even though the war is over, Armenia's territorial claims against our country have not yet ended. In his speech, the President also gave his valuable recommendations to the diaspora organizations operating abroad, drawing attention to the need for our compatriots to be more closely connected with their historical homeland: "It would be very good if every Azerbaijani came to Azerbaijan with his family at least once a year - especially to go to the liberated lands. Now today we are holding the congress in Shusha. However, the liberated areas are more than 10,000 square kilometers, and now routes are being opened and airports are being built. That's why it will be very easy to come and go."
One point in the speech of our Honorable President was heartwarming. Thus, the head of our state reminded that second and third generation Azerbaijanis should not be forgotten about their culture as an extremely important issue. For this, first of all, he emphasized the importance of knowing the Azerbaijani language and strengthening the activities of diaspora organizations in the direction of opening Azerbaijani schools and Sunday schools. If this is the case, the young generation will know the history of the Second Karabakh war well, and the noticeable difficulties in the unification and organization of our compatriots will be easily eliminated. Of course, if necessary, the Azerbaijani government will also support this issue.
President Ilham Aliyev's speech at the 5th Congress of World Azerbaijanis has a noteworthy point. The head of state said that today we are holding the Congress of World Azerbaijanis in liberated Karabakh and Shusha. The name of this congress is Zafar congress, and it is natural. Because it is the first time after the historical victory that the Azerbaijanis of the world gather, hold a congress, and in general, the name Zafar suits our people very well. You came here by way of Victory, the name of the congress is Victory Congress.
Currently, Victory museums are being built in different parts of our country, primarily in the liberated areas. The President said that it was an soldier of Azerbaijan who ended the conflict, a heroic Azerbaijani soldier: "The last events of the war happened right here - in Shusha. Climbing the steep rocks, our heroic soldiers and officers defeated the Armenian army armed with cannons, tanks, and artillery in almost hand-to-hand battles. "After the Shusha Victory, Armenia actually tried to show resistance for only one day - if it is possible to call it resistance - and on November 9, it stated that it was ready to sign the act of capitulation."
The head of state then said: "Every person, every Azerbaijani who comes to Shusha today sees that Shusha is a city of Azerbaijan. If it were not so, Shusha would not be in such a dire situation. You, the guests who come here now, come after a year and a half after the war. If you had come right after the war, you would have seen what it.
It is still in ruins. However, Shusha is being restored, Shusha is reviving, and the work on Shusha's revival is very large-scale and you will be informed about it. If this city belonged to the Armenians, would they have left it today like this? Only 1800 people lived here. 90 percent of them were military personnel and their family members. There is not a single intact historical building left here. "The Armenians had dried up 17 of the 17 springs, insulted our mosques, demolished them, demolished our palaces."
Continuing his speech, the President said: "Firing our peaceful cities with ballistic missiles and destroying people during the war is not fascism, but what is?" "Tocka-U", "SCUD", "Iskander-M" missile was hit in Shusha. After the snow melted, the remains of "Iskander-M" missile were discovered in Shusha, in the center of the city, once again we proved that Armenia used this deadly weapon, a prohibited weapon and a weapon that they don't have at all. Those who do not believe in this can come and see the remains of the "Iskander-M" missile in the Military Spoils Park.
The President stressed that we destroyed fascism and saved the South Caucasus from fascism. "We have increased our strength. During the year and a half, a lot of work was done in the field of army building. Now some of these works have been presented to the public, some of them, of course, cannot be presented. However, everyone should know that today the Army of Azerbaijan can perform any task.
Combat ability, national spirit, moral spirit, weapons, equipment, creation of new combat military formations - we are doing all this precisely because there are still manifestations of Armenian fascism and if Armenian fascism rises again, we must and are ready to crush it at any moment. Armenia knows this well, understands it well and should never forget it," the head of state warned. Ilham Aliyev also spoke about the peace agreement: "Currently, the foreign ministers and ministries of the two countries are forming working groups, and I think that concrete negotiations should be started in the near future and the negotiations should not be prolonged. Because the peace agreement will be signed on the basis of five principles. Therefore, the text of the agreement can be prepared and signed soon, and thus relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan, including diplomatic relations, can be established. By making this proposal, we once again show our good will and, I say again, our foresight.
The revanchist forces that are emerging from time to time in Armenia should know that this is the only way out for Armenia and perhaps the last chance. If they refuse, then we will not recognize the territorial integrity of Armenia, we will officially declare it. "Taking into account the results of the second Karabakh war, the Armenian side should understand well what this step will lead to."
The leader of Azerbaijan said that the leading international organizations have already accepted the post-war realities: "The UN, which held an international event in Shusha. The European Union is currently very actively involved in the process of normalization between Azerbaijan and Armenia. OSCE, which understands very well, the Minsk Group no longer exists. It is true that I said a few months ago, even before the Russian-Ukrainian war, that I was asked what the Minsk group would do? I said that 2022 is the 30th anniversary of their establishment. They will celebrate their anniversary and then retire. But after the start of the Russian-Ukrainian war, they didn't have the opportunity to celebrate the jubilee."
The President also spoke about the establishment of the Armenian state in our historical lands: "In 1920, Zangezur was torn from Azerbaijan and handed over to Armenia by the Soviet authorities, and this is a historical fact. Two years before that, the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic donated Yerevan to Armenia, which is a fact confirmed by documents. In 1921, another provocation was being prepared against us by the Soviet authorities. Zangezur was wrested from us in November 1920, and a year later, the Caucasus Bureau wanted to wrest Karabakh from us as well. However, it did not succeed and it was decided that Nagorno-Karabakh should be kept within Azerbaijan. But despite this, a year and a half later - on July 7, 1923, a completely groundless, artificial entity was created on the territory of Azerbaijan - the Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Province. There was no reason for it to be created. At that time, the number of Azerbaijanis living in present-day Armenia was perhaps twice as large as the number of Armenians living in Karabakh. However, for some reason, this autonomous province was created here, not there. They created it and at the same time included the ancient city of Azerbaijan - Shusha, with the aim of making Shusha Armenian. Because Shusha was left as a single fortress, and you know very well that all the roads to Shusha passed through the areas inhabited by Armenians. That is, in order to get to Shusha, it was necessary to pass through the villages where Armenians live. Now we have taken the road of Victory. Our soldiers and officers paved the way to victory through the mountains, valleys and forests. That is, this was a provocation. In other words, in order to tear Shusha from us, to Armenianize Shusha, they included Shusha in this artificial institution. But it didn't work, no matter how hard they tried, it didn't work. Shusha always protected its national spirit at that time, and during the occupation, Armenians could not Armenianize Shusha." The president said that after that, mass deportation of Azerbaijanis from Armenia in 1940-1950 was a great tragedy and great injustice for our people.
President Ilham Aliyev finished his speech with the words "Karabakh is Azerbaijan" and the participants of the Kurultay joined the voice of the head of state, standing and cheering.
The 5th Congress of World Azerbaijanis is the first big meeting of our diaspora, which has demonstrated high organization and unity in recent years and played a special role in informing the international community about the realities of Azerbaijan, after the liberation of Karabakh.
Adiba Ismayilova
Head of "Khagani 57" territorial party organization
of the New Azerbaijan Party of the Sabail district