By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo

Azerbaijan commemorated the 5th anniversary of the beginning of its 44-day Patriotic War on September 27, 2025, which brought an end to almost 30 years of the illegal occupation of Azerbaijani territories.

Five years ago, the Armed Forces of Azerbaijan resolutely responded to historical injustice against their country and ended serious violations of Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity and sovereignty as well as of international law.

In recognition of the profound respect and gratitude owed to the heroes of chronicle of this history, who laid down their lives or sacrificed their health defending the territorial integrity and sovereignty of their country, 27 September is officially observed each year in Azerbaijan as a Commemoration Day, established by decree of President Ilham Aliyev. On 27 September - Commemoration Day, Azerbaijani people pay tribute to the sacred spirit of their courageous sons and daughters, and extend wishes for good health to the veterans.

In the past 5 years, Azerbaijan has made significant progress in advancing the reconstruction and peace-building efforts of the post-conflict period. Today, peaceful life is returning to its liberated territories, with devastated cities and villages undergoing revitalization using advanced technologies in compliance with the highest international standards.

Also, efforts are being made to address the landmine threat in the liberated territories. Azerbaijan consistently informs the international community about the danger this problem poses to the Azerbaijani population, as well as about humanitarian demining activities being carried out in the liberated territories.

Measures to clarify the fate of missing persons – one of the lasting scars of the former conflict – and to ensure that those responsible for crimes against humanity committed during the Armenian aggression are held legally accountable, continue to be taken as an integral part of the post-conflict efforts.

Bilateral Azerbaijani-Armenian peace process, driven by Azerbaijan’s initiative and determination, is already yielding substantive outcomes. Signing of the Joint Declaration between Azerbaijan and Armenia, which included the United States as a witness, and initialing the text of the “Agreement on Establishment of Peace and Inter-State relations between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Republic of Armenia” at the historic summit convened in Washington on 8 August 2025, as well as the steps undertaken to dismantle the Minsk process and related OSCE structures, which were the remnants of the former conflict, represent a significant breakthrough towards the final closure of a nearly 30-year-long chapter of the former conflict.

From Azerbaijan’s perspective, continued systematic measures to prevent any recurrence of the occupation and aggression that have led to instability and suffering in the region are of utmost importance. This includes, in particular, the removal of territorial claims against the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan from the Constitution of Armenia.

At this crucial moment, when lasting peace is closer than ever, Azerbaijan considers the advancement of its peace agenda as its highest duty in honor of the sacred memory of his Heroes of the Patriotic War.