Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev said in an address to the nation on Wednesday that the Kalbajar district adjacent to Nagorno-Karabakh has been placed under Baku's control.
"Dear compatriots, today the Kalbajar district has been liberated from occupation. I cordially congratulate all the people of Azerbaijan on this occasion," the head of state said in the address which was shown on the air of the AzTV channel.
The President underlined that the people of Azerbaijan had been looking forward to this day for many years. He noted that from the point of view of the territory, Kalbajar is one of the biggest regions of Azerbaijan. "Monuments, mosques and churches located there are our historical heritage", the head of the state underlined. According to him, all churches are protected by the state as a cultural treasure. "Let no one worry, these churches will continue to be protected by the state", the Azerbaijani leader said.
Aliyev also informed of plans to restore Kalbajar. "We will restore everything, rebuild Kalbajar again," Aliyev said, adding that he gave instructions to prepare a master plan for the reconstruction of the district.
According to Aliyev, Azerbaijan intends to restore railway communication with the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic.
"Preliminary instructions have already been given to restore the railway to the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic," Azertag agency quoted Aliyev as saying.
He also recalled that measures had already been taken to restore another branch to the territories passed under Baku's control, in particular the Barda-Agdam railway. "For the restoration of the Agdam district and the convenience of people who will live there in the future, this road should be a must," Aliyev added, promising to regularly inform the public about progress in this direction.
Leaders of Russia, Azerbaijan and Armenia Vladimir Putin, Ilham Aliyev and Nikol Pashinyan signed a joint statement on November 10 on the complete cessation of hostilities in Nagorno-Karabakh that began in late September. According to the agreement, Armenia and Azerbaijan stop at their occupied positions, then a number of districts, including Kalbajar, are placed under Baku's control. The two sides exchange prisoners, and Russian peacekeepers are stationed along the line of contact and the Lachin corridor connecting Nagorno-Karabakh and Armenia.
GSV "Russia - Islamic World"
Photo: official website of the President of the Russian Federation
Based on materials from TASS, RIA Novosti