Foreign

Home page

Foreign

Diplomats from 27 countries briefed on Great Return process -PHOTO

17 June 2025 12:28 (UTC +04:00)

At the session held within the framework of the “Diplomatic Service Improvement Program (AFSP) for Foreign Diplomats” in cooperation with the Agency for International Development Assistance (AIDA) under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan and ADA University, Deputy Chairman of the State Committee for Refugees and Internally Displaced Persons Fuad Huseynov delivered a lecture on “Solution of the Problem of Internally Displaced Persons in Azerbaijan – Long-term IDPs and the Long-awaited Return” to about 31 high-ranking diplomats representing 27 countries, the State Committee told APA.

According to the report, the diplomats were informed about the deprivations and difficulties experienced by more than 1 million people who were subjected to the life of refugee and IDP as a result of Armenia’s occupation and deportation policy. It was noted that Azerbaijani compatriots, who were forced to leave their homelands, settled in unfinished buildings, basements, and dormitories in difficult and harsh conditions.

The Deputy Chairman provided information on the comprehensive state policy implemented in Azerbaijan under the leadership of President Ilham Aliyev in the field of work with refugees and IPDs. Speaking about the work done to improve the social protection and living conditions of this category of people, the special attention and care shown by First Vice-President Mehriban Aliyeva to internally displaced persons was also emphasized.

During the speech, it was noted that comprehensive measures are being implemented to ensure the restoration of the liberated territories, their sustainable development and the voluntary, safe and dignified return of former IPDs to their homelands. This direction also makes a significant contribution to ensuring stability in the region. The Great Return process is reflected in “Azerbaijan 2030: National Priorities for Socio-Economic Development” as one of the main priorities in the socio-economic development strategy of our country.

The diplomats were informed that large-scale infrastructure projects are currently being implemented in the liberated territories.

In this context, information was provided by the State Committee and ADA University on the project “Conducting a sociological survey among internally displaced persons and preparing preliminary forecasts in order to ensure the return of the population and their integration into the territories”. Involving displaced persons in reintegration activities, organizing the migration process, carrying out propaganda and advocacy work to educate them, and establishing a special hotline service are some of the activities envisaged by the committee in the First State Program on the Great Return to the liberated territories. Armenia's contamination of the territories it has occupied for many years with mines remains a serious obstacle to the Great Return process.

It was also noted at the event that the Azerbaijani state is presenting an exemplary model on a global scale not only in the field of solving the problems of refugees and internally displaced persons, but also in terms of post-conflict rehabilitation and reintegration of former internally displaced persons in their homelands.

The diplomats were also provided with detailed information about the deportation of Azerbaijanis from the lands of Western Azerbaijan and the crimes committed against Azerbaijani people. It was emphasized that, thanks to the strong support of state, the Western Azerbaijan Community is actively and effectively working, a concept has been developed for the return to Western Azerbaijan, and the restoration of justice for internally displaced persons and refugees is a solid foundation for any long-term peace and stability in the region, and in this regard, the rights of about 300 thousand Azerbaijani refugees who were forcibly expelled from their ancestral lands in present-day Armenia to return safely and with dignity must be protected and must form part of any long-term peace.

After the lecture, the documentary film “This is my home” about the visit of Jeyhun Karabakhly, a young man born and raised in America and originally from the Suleymanli village of Jabrayil district, to his ancestral homeland, was screened, as well as video clips demonstrating the reconstruction and reconstruction work in the liberated territories and the prosperous life of the people, as well as printed materials prepared by the State Committee were distributed to the participants. The presented materials were met with great interest by the diplomats.

At the end of the event, the Deputy Chairman answered the participants’ questions regarding the return process and various aspects of state policy in general.