Baku, June 21, 2026 – The Europe Today: Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in a message shared on its official X (formerly Twitter) account on World Refugee Day, expressed solidarity with millions of refugees and forcibly displaced persons worldwide, acknowledging the severe hardships, uncertainty, and loss of homes and livelihoods they continue to endure.
The Ministry emphasized that the issue of forced displacement holds particular significance for Azerbaijan. It noted that as a result of aggression and the occupation of Azerbaijani territories, more than one million Azerbaijanis were forced to become refugees and internally displaced persons, enduring decades of displacement, deprivation, and violation of their rights. The statement further highlighted the destruction of homes, communities, and cultural heritage during that period.
According to the Ministry, following the restoration of Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity and sovereignty, the country has launched an extensive reconstruction and rehabilitation programme in the formerly occupied territories. It added that under the “Great Return” initiative, internally displaced persons are gradually returning to their native lands in conditions of safety, dignity, and security, rebuilding their lives and communities after years of displacement.
Reaffirming its position, the Ministry stated that Azerbaijan remains committed to supporting international efforts aimed at addressing the root causes of forced displacement, promoting durable solutions for refugees and internally displaced persons, and upholding the principles of international law.
On World Refugee Day, the statement paid tribute to the resilience and courage of refugees and internally displaced persons around the world, reaffirming the goal of ensuring that all forcibly displaced individuals can one day return home and live in peace, dignity, and prosperity.
