"Independence is a great blessing and a great achievement. However, true independence is only realized when a country is capable of pursuing an independent policy," stated President Ilham Aliyev.
According to the Operative Information Center-OMM, President Ilham Aliyev made these remarks during a meeting with residents in the village of Boyuk Galadarasi, located in the Shusha district.
The head of state emphasized that Azerbaijan stands among the few nations that truly exercise this sovereignty. "There are nearly 200 independent countries in the world today, but it cannot be said that each of them is truly independent. We are, in the true sense of the word, an independent state. We determine our own destiny, and we conduct our policy based on national interests and the well-being of our people, without looking to anyone else. This is why we have gained great prestige in the world," President Aliyev noted.
He further highlighted that even during the years when Azerbaijani territories were under Armenian occupation, the country maintained an independent policy, earning international respect. "Of course, the Second Garabagh War and the anti-terror operation three years later, our glorious Victory, have further increased the prestige of our country and our people in the world," the President added.
The village of Boyuk Galadarasi, situated in the Shusha district, is currently undergoing significant reconstruction as part of the Azerbaijani government's "Great Return" program. This initiative aims to restore infrastructure and facilitate the resettlement of former internally displaced persons to the liberated Garabagh region, following the restoration of Azerbaijan's territorial integrity.
