Azerbaijan marks its sovereignty over Nagorno-Karabakh: President Ilham Aliev hoists the national flag in Stepanakert
In a highly symbolic gesture, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliev visited Stepanakert, the capital of Nagorno-Karabakh, for the first time to raise the national flag. This visit marks Azerbaijan’s sovereignty over this region, recaptured from Armenian separatists at the end of a military offensive in September.
Ilham Aliyev expressed his pride in having realized the dream of the Azerbaijani people, recalling that raising the Azerbaijani flag in Nagorno-Karabakh has been his main goal since he became president. Dressed in military fatigues, he also toured other localities in the region, hoisting the Azerbaijani flag on each reconquered territory.
This unprecedented and surprise visit from the Azerbaijani president constitutes an important step in the resolution of the conflict between Azerbaijan and Armenia for control of Nagorno-Karabakh. After decades of separation, Azerbaijan managed to regain control of this mountainous region, marking a military victory.
However, despite this victory, tensions between Azerbaijan and Armenia persist. Armenia notably accuses Azerbaijan of war crimes in Nagorno-Karabakh, while Azerbaijan denies these accusations. For the sake of a peaceful resolution, discussions are planned between Ilham Aliev and the Armenian Prime Minister, Nikol Pashinian, in Brussels.
In the context of this conflict, the political and military support of Turkey, Azerbaijan’s ally, played a determining role. Armenia, for its part, is turning to the International Criminal Court to try to have the “war crimes” perpetrated by Azerbaijan recognized.
The current challenge for Armenia is to guarantee its security against its powerful neighbor Azerbaijan. She hopes that the ratification of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court will allow her to benefit from additional protection.
Finally, Pope Francis also expressed his concern for the preservation of the religious heritage of Nagorno-Karabakh, in particular its old monasteries. The resumption of the region by Azerbaijan raises concerns about the preservation of this cultural and historical heritage.
In conclusion, the Azerbaijani President’s visit to Stepanakert and his move to raise the national flag mark an important step in resolving the conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh. However, tensions persist between Azerbaijan and Armenia, and the situation requires political discussions to achieve lasting peace in the region.