On May 18, the State Committee for Refugees and IDPs held a commemoration event on the 26th anniversary of the occupation of Lachin by Armenian armed forces. First, our martyrs who died for the freedom and territorial integrity of Azerbaijan were commemorated with a minute of silence. Noting that Lachin is one of the most magnificent places of Azerbaijan and is located in a strategic position, Rovshan Rzayev, the Chairman of the State Committee for Refugees and IDPs, reminded the tragedies of Azerbaijani people caused by Armenia. Pointing out that the incompetence of the Azerbaijani authorities back then had serious consequences for the country, Rovshan Rzayev noted that as a result of the lack of adequate protection of Lachin, the region was occupied by the enemy in 1992. He expressed confidence that our territorial integrity will be provided as a result of a well-thought, agile, determined and farsighted policy pursued by the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Supreme Commander-in-Chief Ilham Aliyev. He noted that the First Vice President of Azerbaijan, Mrs. Mehriban Aliyeva always keeps the issue of improving the social conditions of refugees and IDPs in the center of attention. At the same time, he informed the participants about the social projects constantly being implemented, large-scale work aimed at improving the living conditions of refugees and IDPs in our country. The elders of Lachin – Amirkhan Zeynalov, Gazanfar Huseynov spoke about Lachin`s historical, cultural and economic significance for Azerbaijan and severe consequences of the occupation. MP Mahir Abbaszada, representing Lachin in General Assembly (Milli Mejlis) spoke about Lachin`s ancient and spectacular cultural monuments, nature and strategic importance. Recalling that the President Ilham Aliyev celebrated his 50th birthday on December 24, 2011 together with IDPs from Lachin in Takhtakorpu settlement in Aghjabadi, the MP said that this was an obvious example of the care for Lachin people. Making a speech, the intelligentsia, heads of “Karabakh War Disabled, Veterans and Families of Martyrs” public unions, warriors spoke about the violent acts committed by the Armenian armed forces in Azerbaijan. Then the film about Lachin “Lachinsiz” (Without Lachin) was shown. At the end of the event commemorative photo was taken with the intelligentsia from Lachin, the heads of “Karabakh War Disabled, Veterans and Families of Martyrs” public unions of Shusha, Aghdam, Fuzuli, Jabrayil, Kalbajar, Gubadli, Lachin, Zangilan, Khojali and Khojavand.