Baku, July 12, 2026 – The Europe Today: Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev has described the ongoing return of former internally displaced persons to their ancestral lands as a moment of national pride, saying each homecoming represents a celebration for the entire Azerbaijani people.
Speaking during a meeting with residents of the Guzeykhirman and Guneykhirman villages in the Khojavend district, President Aliyev said the resettlement process reflects the country’s progress in restoring liberated territories and rebuilding communities after years of displacement.
“Every time former displaced persons return to their ancestral lands, it is a celebration for all of us, a celebration for the entire Azerbaijani people,” the President said. He noted that there is now hardly a month in which groups of former displaced persons do not return to their native homes, underscoring the steady pace of the government’s resettlement efforts.
President Aliyev highlighted the large-scale reconstruction and infrastructure projects being carried out across Garabagh and East Zangezur, including the construction of residential areas, roads, schools, healthcare facilities, and public utilities to ensure returning families have modern living conditions. He said the government’s priority remains creating sustainable communities and improving the quality of life for returning residents.
The President reaffirmed Azerbaijan’s commitment to continuing the “Great Return” programme, describing it as a key national priority aimed at restoring economic activity, revitalizing liberated territories, and enabling former displaced persons to rebuild their lives in their ancestral lands.
