September 27 - Gains, Losses, Expectations

The complicated military-political situation around Karabakh has developed in parallel with the history of the struggle for independence in Azerbaijan. After our country gained independence in 1991, military aggression and occupation in Karabakh expanded. This problem has been characterized as one of the most serious obstacles to democratic development in society.

The people of Azerbaijan were involved in the first war in Karabakh in 1920, the second in 1992-1994, and the third in late 2020 with heavy losses. The purpose of all three wars was to separate Karabakh from Azerbaijan, to form a syndrome of defeat in the population, to shake the people's confidence in creating an independent state.

Political crises, changes of government, and contradictions in the country over the past 30 years have stemmed from military failures around Karabakh. Large-scale military operations, which began on September 27, 2020, have finally resulted in military success. This historic day is the beginning of a new era in the fate of our people in many respects.

The war, which lasted from September 27 to November 10, created a modern history of victory for our country. It has achieved a chain of military, social, political, diplomatic, and socio-psychological successes. The strength of the armed forces of our country, the courage, professionalism, and bravery of the servicemen have written a new heroic page in our modern military history.

All political forces, civil society, and independent media outlets of the country demonstrated voluntary mobilization and solidarity. During the war, the opposition openly supported the military-political will of the state. In the process of ensuring territorial integrity, in the successful implementation of information policy, a unanimous position was expressed.

The status quo formed by the international community over the years regarding the future political destiny of Karabakh has changed in 44 days. It was stated categorically that Armenians living in Karabakh would not be given any political and legal status. It became clear that the claim of the Armenian people to "determine their own destiny" in the territory of Azerbaijan will not be allowed.

After 28 years, the Azerbaijani-Iranian border was completely taken under state control, and the Azerbaijani-Armenian border was taken under state control, except for 5 kilometers in Lachin. The country's image in the region has improved, significant results have been achieved in ensuring territorial integrity, and a new system of regional security and cooperation has been established.

The moral potential of the society was focused on the victory of this war. Forgetting all their social worries and financial difficulties, the population joined the campaign of voluntary support of the armed forces. The psychology of the "defeated nation", which lasted for years, collapsed in a short time. About one million of our citizens who have the status of IDPs have regained their previous status.

In this war, everyone realized that there was no prospect of separatism in Azerbaijan. We have proved to the world our determination to secure our sovereignty at all costs.

This historic achievement was made possible by our irreversible human losses. People who gave their lives for the homeland are the main architects of this victory. Numerous families of martyrs and war veterans are considered to be the most valuable and sensitive social group in society. There is a unanimous opinion and determination in the society regarding the provision of these people with the full support and protection of the state.

With the start of military operations, several clear and unanimous positions were formed in society. It was an expectation of the complete liberation of our lands, the unconditional restoration of our territorial integrity, the radical settlement of the issue in order to prevent another bloody and protracted war in the territory of Karabakh. Society has resolutely demonstrated its readiness for all difficulties and losses in order to put an end to such a serious problem once and for all.

After the war, which ended with the victory of the army, new expectations emerged in society. There was great hope for a radical solution to the socio-economic, political, and legal problems that the population has suffered for years. The desire to be governed fairly, to live with dignity and freedom as a victorious people has been taking root in the minds. The mature people of the society consider the implementation of radical legal, economic, and political reforms to be the most necessary process.

The public attitude to the fact that military operations were suspended after the November 10 trilateral ceasefire statement signed between Azerbaijan and Armenia with the mediation of Russia is ambiguous. This document partially satisfies the wishes of society. The complete liberation of our lands, the unconditional restoration of our territorial integrity, and a radical solution to the problem are not over yet.

Armenian armed forces are still in Karabakh, Azerbaijan is unable to exercise military, administrative, and political control over these territories, and the 5-kilometer-wide territory passing through Lachin is in the hands of the Russian armed forces under the name of peacekeeping. Uncontrolled entry and cargo transportation to the territories of Azerbaijan continues. Worst of all, Russia, which created and managed this protracted conflict in Karabakh, has once again had the opportunity to disrupt peace.

Finally, Azerbaijan has now entered a difficult phase in consolidating its military victories in international public opinion through its political and diplomatic moves. At this stage, building a democratic society, expanding civic participation, increasing the efficiency of governance, effective fight against corruption can increase the political power of the state and enhance its international image.

The most important issue is to ensure social justice and prevent corruption, especially in the process of restoring the liberated settlements. It is unfortunate that there is a lack of transparency and public control mechanisms in the effectiveness of projects for the restoration of communications and utilities and the efficient use of public funds.