On May 10, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev met with families moving into the first residential complex in the city of Zangilan and presented them with the keys to their new apartments.
Operative Information Center-OMM reports that the head of state delivered a speech during the meeting, congratulating the residents on their return to their native lands after a long hiatus. The President emphasized that the ceremony coincided with the birthday of National Leader Heydar Aliyev, noting that the liberation of occupied territories was the Great Leader's greatest wish.
During his address, President Ilham Aliyev highlighted the strategic importance of Zangilan, stating that the district is being transformed into a major regional transport hub. He noted that the construction of a railway from Baku to Zangilan is underway and is expected to be completed within the next year and a half. This infrastructure will eventually connect to Nakhchivan via the Zangazur corridor, reducing travel time to just 30 minutes. The President also mentioned the development of the "Dost Agropark" and the construction of hydroelectric power plants as part of the region's economic revitalization.
The restoration of Zangilan is part of the "Great Return" program, a large-scale state initiative aimed at rebuilding the territories liberated during the 2020 44-day war. Zangilan, located in the East Zangazur economic region, was liberated from Armenian occupation on October 20, 2020. Since then, Azerbaijan has invested heavily in the region's infrastructure, including the opening of the Zangilan International Airport in 2022 and the implementation of "smart village" projects like Aghali to ensure a sustainable and modern living environment for returning former internally displaced persons (IDPs).
