President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev visited the village of Chapar in the Aghdara district to review the reconstruction and development works undertaken there.
Elchin Yusubov, Special Representative of the President in the city of Khankendi and the Aghdara and Khojaly districts, provided the head of state with a detailed briefing on the progress of reconstruction in the village.
Chapar village is situated in the Imarat Garvand administrative territorial unit of Aghdara district, on the southeastern slopes of the Karabakh mountain range. It is home to historical fortress and temple architectural monuments. The village was liberated from occupation following the anti-terror operation carried out by the Azerbaijani Armed Forces in 2023.
Currently, there are 104 private houses in Chapar. Of these, 41 were deemed beyond repair, while 63 were found partially usable. To date, 40 houses have been fully commissioned, with an additional 23 scheduled for restoration by the end of the year. In the initial phase of the "Great Return" program, 26 families (96 people) have already resettled in the village.
Considerable work has been completed to address social needs. Three existing transformers and associated power lines have been rehabilitated, new electricity, natural gas, and telecommunications lines have been installed, a modern water supply network has been created, water reservoirs have been restored, and approximately 6 kilometers of internal village roads have been fully rebuilt. A newly landscaped park will soon be made available for residents' use.
Following the briefing, President Ilham Aliyev visited the family of Kamala Dadashova, one of the families who have relocated to the village, and inquired about their living conditions.
Kamala Dadashova, who expressed immense pride in returning to her native land, conveyed her deep gratitude to President Ilham Aliyev.
The head of state once again congratulated Kamala Dadashova on the occasion of moving into her new home.
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President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev attended the opening of the “Gozlukorpu” Hydroelectric Power Plant, located in the village of Gozlukorpu in the Aghdara district, on January 13.
Chairman of the Board of “Azerenerji” OJSC Baba Rzayev briefed the head of state on the station, as well as on the status of hydropower plants in Garabagh and East Zangezur, and the existing and prospective hydropower potential of the Tartarchay river chain.
It was reported that in the liberated territories, 38 hydropower plants with a total capacity of 307 MW produced 750 million kilowatt-hours of green energy in 2025. This resulted in savings of 160 million cubic metres of natural gas and prevented the emission of 280,000 tons of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.
The hydropower potential of the Tartarchay has been determined to include 30 hydropower stations (HPS). Currently, 22 HPS are operated by “Azerenerji” OJSC, construction of 5 HPS is underway, and 3 HPS are planned. It should be noted that the Tartarchay river is entirely within the territory of Azerbaijan.
In accordance with President Ilham Aliyev’s instruction to transform Garabagh and East Zangezur into a “green energy” zone, the “Gozlukorpu” Hydroelectric Power Plant, built on the Tartarchay — the largest water artery of the region — has a capacity of 14.7 MW. Despite the challenging terrain, harsh climate conditions, and complex logistics, the project was successfully completed in a short period.
A modern headwater intake structure has been constructed at an altitude of 955 metres above sea level. A 13-kilometre-long diversion pipeline has been laid through mountainous terrain to transfer water from this structure to the station. For the first time in Azerbaijan, modern energy-production equipment capable of operating at 25% productivity during low-water periods and 100% productivity during high-water periods has been installed.
An open switchgear was built to connect the station to the national energy system, and an optical cable line was laid to integrate the station into the digital control system.
On average, the station is expected to produce 43 million kilowatt-hours of electricity annually, saving 9.5 million cubic metres of natural gas and preventing 18,000 tons of carbon dioxide emissions.
Special attention was given to environmental protection within the project. Hydraulic structures were constructed to prevent river fish from entering the diversion pipeline and to ensure that harmful substances do not mix with the water. These measures allow the water to return to the downstream river without changes to its quality indicators. The use of environmentally friendly technological equipment ensures the sustainability of the river ecosystem while contributing to the formation of water resources.
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President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev visited Heyvali village in the Aghdara district and familiarized himself with the reconstruction and development work carried out there on January 13.
The head of state was briefed on the landscaping activities and planned infrastructure projects in the village.
Heyvali is located within its own administrative-territorial district in the Aghdara region, at the foothills of the Karabakh mountain range. Prior to the occupation, the local population was primarily engaged in grain farming, tobacco cultivation, and animal husbandry. The village also housed social facilities such as a school, a community club, and a post office. Heyvali was liberated from occupation following the anti-terror operations conducted in 2023.
Out of 126 private houses in Heyvali, 45 have already been fully restored and are ready for occupancy. The restoration of an additional 50 houses is planned throughout the year. All necessary conditions have been established for the settlement of the 19 families (74 people) who have already returned to their native land.
As part of the village's reconstruction, extensive work has been undertaken to restore social infrastructure. Specifically, two existing transformers, as well as electricity and gas lines, have been rehabilitated, and new telecommunications lines have been installed. To ensure residents' access to drinking water, a 60-cubic-meter tank has been installed, and construction of the water supply network has begun. In addition, approximately 4.5 kilometers of intra-village roads have undergone major repairs, and a new recreation park has been created for residents' leisure time.
President Ilham Aliyev then visited the family of village resident Sarvan Abbasov, familiarized himself with the living conditions created in their new home, and inquired about employment opportunities.
Sarvan Abbasov shared the joy of returning to his ancestral lands and expressed his deep gratitude to the head of state and Azerbaijani Army. President Ilham Aliyev wished the family members a prosperous life in their native homeland.
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President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev reviewed the reconstruction and development work carried out in the village of Childiran in the Aghdara district on January 13.
The Head of State was briefed on the projects currently being implemented in the village.
Childiran is situated in its namesake administrative-territorial district within the Aghdara district, in a foothill area. Prior to the occupation, the local population was primarily engaged in animal husbandry and crop production. The village previously featured a school, a house of culture, a library, and a medical station. The area is rich in historical heritage, housing the 12th-century "Albanian Temple" and the 13th-century "Red Temple" architectural monuments. The occupation of the village ended following the anti-terror operations conducted by the Azerbaijani Armed Forces in September 2023.
There are 177 private houses in the village, of which 69 were deemed unusable and 108 were partially usable. To date, 28 houses have been made ready for occupancy, and the restoration of an additional 30 houses is planned for this year. Currently, an initial group of 13 families (48 people) has returned to the village.
In Childiran, two existing transformers and power and gas lines have been restored, while entirely new electricity, gas, and communication lines have been installed. Additionally, a water pump has been commissioned, water reservoirs with a total capacity of 190 cubic meters have been cleaned, and a sub-artesian well has been repaired. Furthermore, 8.4 kilometers of internal village roads have been restored, and a new park has been established.
Following the inspection, President Ilham Aliyev visited the home of Verdi Abdullayev, who recently resettled in the village with his family.
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President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev inspected the “Damirli” Ore Processing Complex, located in the village of Janyataq in the Aghdara district, on January 13.
Minister of Economy Mikayıl Jabbarov and President and Chief Executive Officer of Azerbaijan International Mining Company Limited Reza Vaziri briefed the head of state on the complex.
The complex includes a copper flotation plant, a wet tailings storage facility, an electrical substation, and other infrastructure. Covering a total area of 929 hectares designated for mining and production, the complex has been reconstructed using Turkish and German technologies. Private investments amounting to 15.3 million manats were directed to the reconstruction and restoration works.
“Damirli” is the first mining industry project launched in Azerbaijan’s liberated territories. The copper flotation plant will process ore extracted from the “Damirli” deposit to produce the final product — copper concentrate. The plant’s annual processing capacity is 5.6 million tons of ore.
The “Damirli” copper deposit, which had been under Armenia’s occupation since 1993, was illegally exploited for approximately 10 years starting from May 13, 2013. During that period, out of the estimated 311,000 tons of extractable copper reserves, 218,000 tons — or 70 percent — were illegally extracted.
The initial exploitation period of the remaining reserves is planned for 2025–2030. During this period, the export of 85,000 tons of copper metal in concentrate form to the People’s Republic of China, valued at 1.6 billion manats, is envisaged. At the same time, an increase in copper reserves at the deposit is forecast in the coming years. According to preliminary geological exploration data, approximately 470,000 tons of additional copper reserves are estimated to be available. The extractable volume of these reserves will be clarified following a four-year geological exploration and research program.
At the initial stage, the complex has created permanent employment for 980 people, including 260 former internally displaced persons, among them citizens returning to the liberated territories. In the coming years, the number of permanent jobs is expected to increase to 1,250, with the majority filled by representatives of local communities.
Mining operations at the deposit are carried out by the operating company “Azerbaijan International Mining Company Limited” under an agreement signed in 2024 between “AzerGold” CJSC and the U.S.-based company “R.V. Investment Group Services” on the exploration, development, and production sharing of several ore deposits in Azerbaijan.
In accordance with the law approved by President Ilham Aliyev in 2024, the authority to represent the state under the production-sharing agreement has been delegated to “AzerGold” CJSC.
Comprehensive environmental protection measures have been implemented within the framework of the project. A baseline assessment and environmental monitoring were conducted, and an Environmental and Social Impact Assessment document was prepared based on the findings. Throughout the project period, measures including monitoring, laboratory analyses, afforestation works, and water recycling systems are being applied to reduce dust and noise emissions and to protect land and water resources. Upon completion of operations, technical and biological reclamation of the affected areas will also be ensured.
The implementation of this project is of great importance for ensuring the sustainable development of Azerbaijan’s non-oil sector, increasing export capacity, and guaranteeing the efficient and lawful use of natural resources in the liberated territories. At the same time, the attraction of private investment contributes to the modernization and diversification of industry and the mining sector, boosts economic activity, and creates new jobs.
The Azerbaijani state has adopted significant decisions to support entrepreneurship in the liberated territories. Ensuring sustainable settlement, stimulating private initiative, attracting investment, and establishing a favorable business environment have been identified as key strategic objectives. Legal entities and individuals operating in the liberated territories are exempt from profit, income, property, land, and simplified taxes, as well as VAT and customs duties on imported equipment, technological installations, raw materials, and materials used for economic activities, for a period of 10 years starting from January 1, 2023.
President Ilham Aliyev pressed the symbolic button to initiate ore blasting.
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President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev reviewed the reconstruction works in Ashaghi Oratagh village of the Aghdara district on January 13.
The head of state was briefed on the social projects implemented in the village.
Ashaghi Oratagh is located in the eponymous administrative-territorial district of Aghdara, in a foothill area. Before the occupation, the village population was primarily engaged in viticulture, animal husbandry, grain farming, and tobacco cultivation. The village also had a school, a club, a library, and a medical point. Ashaghi Oratagh was liberated from occupation as a result of the anti-terror operation conducted by the Azerbaijani Armed Forces in 2023.
The village has a total of 308 individual houses, of which 148 were unfit for use and 160 were partially usable. Currently, 100 houses have been restored and are ready for habitation. Within the year, an additional 60 houses are planned for major repair and restoration. So far, 31 families, totaling 119 people, have returned to the village.
Significant work has also been carried out on social infrastructure. Two transformers and a gas line have been restored, while new electricity, gas, and communication lines have been installed. A water pump has been commissioned, water reservoirs with a total capacity of 560 cubic meters have been cleaned, and a subartesian well has been repaired. Nearly 7 kilometers of internal village roads have been restored. Additionally, a park and a football pitch have been created for residents’ recreation.
The head of state also visited the family of Anar Rustamov, who recently returned to the village, and familiarized himself with the conditions in their newly restored house.
During the conversation, President Ilham Aliyev inquired about the employment opportunities for the family members and wished them a prosperous and happy life in their native homeland, which is now equipped with modern infrastructure.
The homeowner, Anar Rustamov, expressed his deep gratitude to the head of state for the conditions provided.
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President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev met with residents of the villages of Ashaghi Oratagh, Childiran, Heyvali, and Chapar in Ashaghi Oratagh village of the Aghdara district on January 13.
The residents warmly welcomed the head of state.
Addressing the meeting, President Ilham Aliyev said: “You have been settled in four villages of the Aghdara district for three days now. I congratulate you on this occasion. I have visited all these villages — Chapar, Heyvali, Childiran, and Ashaghi Oratagh. The houses have been beautifully repaired and restored. Over the past two years, we have conducted monitoring in all settlements and villages of the liberated Aghdara district. In the first phase, we identified the villages to be restored, and former internally displaced persons have already returned to nine villages in the district.
The ordeal of many long years is now behind us; justice and righteousness have triumphed with victory. Azerbaijan has restored its territorial integrity and sovereignty. Azerbaijanis have returned to their ancestral lands and will live here with pride, happily, and comfortably. I am confident that from now on there will be no more war. The Azerbaijani state is a strong state. What makes us strong is our people — our nation united like a fist.
Over the past two years — since the anti-terror operation in 2023 — life has been restored across these regions: Aghdara, Khojaly, Khankendi, and Khojavend. Five years ago, displaced persons began returning to other formerly occupied territories. Today, already 73,000 people — both former internally displaced persons and those who are working, employed, or studying in the liberated territories — have settled there. Every month, the number of citizens returning to Garabagh increases. All necessary conditions have been created here: electricity, water, gas, roads, and jobs.
Today, we marked the opening of the hydroelectric power plant with a capacity of nearly 15 megawatts in the village of Gozlukorpu. This region is now fully supplied with electricity, and the energy produced here is also transmitted to other parts of Azerbaijan. Roads are being built and expanded from here to Tartar and up to Kalbajar.
Today, I also reviewed the operations of the ‘Damirli’ Ore Processing Complex, where nearly 1,000 jobs are being created. There will be no problem with employment. Both the state and the private sector are creating conditions. At the same time, taking advantage of this beautiful and refreshing nature, it is essential to engage in agriculture, animal husbandry, beekeeping, and fruit growing so that you can live here comfortably and prosperously.
May Allah rest the souls of all our martyrs in peace. Thanks to their sacrifice, and to the heroism and bravery of our valiant fighters, we stand on this land today. We will forever cherish the sacred memory of our martyrs in our hearts. I must also note that we avenged their blood on the battlefield; it has not gone unanswered. During the years of occupation, we heard and repeated these words many times and lived with these aspirations. The loss of our lands and the martyrdom of so many of our heroes caused deep pain to our nation, but it did not break us. We did not bow down. We demonstrated our will and, on the battlefield, both avenged our martyrs and reclaimed our lands. Over the past 80 years, no other country has achieved a victory as complete and absolute as that of Azerbaijan.
There have been many wars and conflicts, and they continue even today, but none of them have ended in a full and absolute Victory. Yet we, as a great nation, achieved exactly that — in just 44 days, and then in one more day. We divided our glorious Victory and Victory march into two stages, while also protecting our youth. Because if the war had not stopped on November 10, 2020, we might have had to sacrifice thousands more martyrs — including here, in these mountains of Aghdara, Kalbajar, and Lachin, as well as the mined corridors of Aghdam. We protected them; we did not sacrifice them. At the same time, we knew that the day would come when we would reclaim all of Garabagh, restore our territorial integrity, expel the vile enemy from our lands, and achieve complete Victory. Today, standing here together with you — with a martyr’s mother on one side and a respected woman elder on the other — this is a deeply happy feeling, a happy day, a beautiful day. I sincerely congratulate you. May you live happily here. Thank you.
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The meeting continued with commemorative photographs.
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President Ilham Aliyev continued: “Of course, we will have many more meetings. Today, the new Master Plan for the city of Aghdara will be presented to me. We will rebuild Aghdara just as we have already revitalized nine villages. The city itself will be reconstructed and transformed into a beautiful industrial and tourism center. These refreshing places are a delight to the eye — mountains, forests, fresh air, springs, and rivers everywhere. That is why the future development of Aghdara will be very bright. The occupiers left virtually no building intact in this area. Look at all these restored buildings today — they have been rebuilt by the state. Meanwhile, the occupiers engaged in looting. From the Damirli ore deposit, they perhaps took copper worth 2 billion dollars, or even more. This was looting — illegal exploitation. Now we have returned, and operations have been reestablished there. As I mentioned, more than 900, and up to approximately 1,000, jobs will be created. Moreover, I have instructed that the employees there should come from this region. Additional investments will certainly be made to expand the project further.”
Agriculture, tourism — in other words, this is a natural paradise. But the vile enemy devastated it, leaving not one stone upon another. Every year, they collected hundreds of millions from Armenian organizations, yet they did not invest a single manat or dollar here; they looted everything. They burned our homes, displaced you, displaced 1 million people, and razed Aghdam, Fuzuli, Zangilan, and Gubadli to the ground. They illegally settled in Kalbajar, Lachin, and Khojaly. They even gave Khojaly an ugly name, but none of it stuck. Because the rightful owners of these lands are us; we have returned, and we are building and creating.
From now on, we will live only as a victorious and proud people. Inshallah.”
The residents expressed their gratitude to the President.
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On January 13, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev examined the Master Plan for the city of Aghdara.
Anar Guliyev, Chairman of the State Committee on Urban Planning and Architecture, briefed the head of state on the Master Plan.
According to the plan, the city’s residential area will be expanded from 444 hectares to 522 hectares. The city's population is projected to reach 14,000 people over a 20-year perspective period. The conceptual scheme of the Master Plan includes a city center, individual and low-density residential areas, as well as multifunctional and public-business zones. Additionally, plans are in place to establish a terrace park, a riverside boulevard, and agrotourism, industrial, and logistics zones. Alongside the Master Plan, detailed solutions have been developed for the initial stage of Aghdara's reconstruction, which envisions a total housing fund of 420,000 square meters and the construction of an 80-bed hospital, five schools with a capacity of 2,520 students, five kindergartens for 840 children, and a vocational school. In the first phase, a 104-hectare city center will be developed, making it possible for 3,590 people to reside in the city by 2030, where the road and street network will span 46.8 kilometers and bicycle lanes will reach 10 kilometers in length. Furthermore, within the framework of the project, architectural designs for both public and residential buildings have already been finalized.
After reviewing the Master Plan, the head of state provided relevant instructions and directives.
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Following the review, residential buildings intended for the military personnel of the Ministry of Defense were commissioned in Aghdara.
Repair and restoration work has been carried out on a total of three buildings for the military personnel of the Ministry of Defense in Aghdara. Of the 72 apartments in these four- and five-story buildings, 8 are one-room, 36 are two-room, 24 are three-room, and 4 are four-room units. Every condition has been created here for the comfortable living and effective organization of leisure time for the servicemen and their families; the apartments are fully equipped with water, gas, electricity, and internet, as well as furniture sets. Extensive landscaping has also been conducted around the buildings, with new greenery planted and dedicated corners created for the residents' relaxation.
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President of the Republic of Azerbaijan and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces Ilham Aliyev laid the foundation stone for the Special Operations Center in the Aghdara district on January 13.
Minister of Defense Zakir Hasanov reported to the President and Commander-in-Chief.
The head of state was informed that the primary objective of establishing this center is to ensure the specialized training of special forces units across diverse terrains, topographies, and weather conditions. Additionally, the facility will host events, including joint exercises and specialized courses, based on international military cooperation agreements. It will be possible to conduct training and maneuvers with the participation of a large number of personnel across the center's extensive territory, which will feature training zones for small arms and large-caliber weapons, unmanned aerial vehicles including strike drones, various simulations, special operations, and driving and swimming preparation.
The center will include a headquarters, barracks, a medical point, a club, educational and guest houses, an indoor sports complex, a simulation center, outdoor sports fields, a helipad, shooting ranges, and other necessary infrastructure.
President Ilham Aliyev laid the foundation stone for the center.
