On December 26, Rovshan Rzayev, the Chairman of the State Committee for Affairs of Refugees and Internally Displaced Persons, met with IDPs from Khojaly district who had lost their parents and residents of Malibayli village in Shusha district.

It was reported that extensive reconstruction work has been carried out in the liberated territories as per the instructions of President Ilham Aliyev, and the return of IDPs has started. It was highlighted that the implementation of the measures envisaged in the I State Program on the Great Return allowed reviving the Karabakh and East Zangazur economic regions, to ensure sustainable settlement and employment of the population in those areas.

It was noted that soon the return of residents of Khojaly and Shusha to their native lands would start on a voluntary, safe, and dignified basis in accordance with the principles of international law. It was stated that President Ilham Aliyev personally monitors the progress of reconstruction work and the creation of favorable living conditions for the resettled population in the liberated territories. The visits of the head of state and First Vice President Mehriban Aliyeva to the Karabakh and East Zangazur economic regions are traditional in nature and serve to revive those territories and accelerate construction and landscaping.

It was emphasized that more than 4500 IDPs have returned to their native lands to date. The Great Return process will soon include Khojaly and Shusha as well.

Saying that they are ready to return to Khojaly and Shusha to live in their historical lands again, the residents expressed gratitude to the head of state and members of our valiant armed forces for the restoration of the state sovereignty of Azerbaijan in all the liberated territories and wished mercy for the souls of our martyrs who sacrificed their lives and recovery for our veterans.

The Chairman of the State Committee, who personally received the applications of citizens registered in advance on a priority basis, listened to and answered their questions. The IDPs received by the Chairman of the Committee on an individual basis also expressed their confidence that they would return to their native land soon.

The applications of citizens participating in the reception mainly revolved around improving housing conditions, communal services, status, monthly allowances, employment, return to the liberated territories, and other related matters. Citizens were informed that their appeals and issues raised by them would be investigated and resolved in accordance with the laws.