
By Anastasia Lavrina
TV presenter, political analyst, researcher
The End of the « Gray Zone » in Karabakh
Thirteen months have passed since the Azerbaijani armed forces conducted one-day anti-terrorist operation in Karabakh, resulting in the restoration of the country’s territorial integrity and sovereignty. For many years, Armenia maintained a “gray zone” in Karabakh, universally recognized as part of Azerbaijan, keeping under the occupation nearly 20% of neighboring country. Pro-Armenian forces invoked the right to self-determination and the existence of the self-proclaimed « Nagorno-Karabakh Republic »; however, no any UN member state, including Armenia, recognized it. Four United Nations Security Council resolutions from 1993 demanding the withdrawal of Armenian troops from occupied territories were left unimplemented. The conflict was resolved during the Second Karabakh War in autumn 2020, when the Azerbaijani army liberated significant part of its territory, including the strategically important city of Shusha.
The self-proclaimed separatist regime in Khankendi continued to exist until September 2023, attempting to destabilize the fragile peace. Under the guise of humanitarian aid from Armenia, weapons and ammunition were smuggled into Karabakh. Separatists utilized the territory for political and criminal purposes, including the establishment of drug plantations and illegal mining activities. Ethnic Azerbaijanis who were forced to leave Karabakh during the First Karabakh War were unable to return to their homeland for nearly three decades.
The events of September 19-20, 2023, altered the geopolitical landscape in the region: the separatist regime announced its self-liquidation. The leaders of the separatists, responsible for numerous crimes on foreign territory, were held criminally accountable. This event became a significant component in the formation of the peace process in the region.
The Revival of Karabakh: Large-Scale Projects
With the return of Azerbaijanis to Karabakh, the land itself has come alive. The sound of children’s laughter fills the streets as families, long separated from their homeland, begin to return to their newly rebuilt homes. Children are once again attending school, while adults reminisce fondly about lost moments.
During the occupation, dozens of architectural monuments in Azerbaijan were destroyed, including mosques, Albanian churches, and even Orthodox temples. Armenian occupying forces razed entire cities, with Aghdam earning the title « Hiroshima of the Caucasus » due to the scale of devastation. Since the restoration of control over these regions, the revival of Karabakh has become a priority of Azerbaijan’s state policy.
The government recognizes the importance of regional infrastructure development and the implementation of the « Great Return » program for displaced persons. Many transportation projects may become part of the global Middle Corridor, linking Central Asia to Europe through Azerbaijan, Turkiye, and potentially Armenia, should the latter fulfill its commitments regarding the opening of the Zangezur Corridor. So far, 19 billion manats have been allocated for the restoration of the regions, with projections suggesting that expenditures will exceed 14 billion manats between 2025 and 2028.

Cultural and religious monuments are being rebuilt in Karabakh and Eastern Zangezur. For example, the recent restoration of the historical Gazanchi Church in Shusha has been completed. After the city’s occupation in 1992, the church’s dome was removed, and its bell towers were stripped of their traditional features, replaced with those of the Armenian church. The Armenians altered the traditional round dome to a conical shape, renaming it the Armenian Apostolic Church. Azerbaijan has restored the building to its original appearance.
Additionally, Baku is investing in the development of renewable energy sources in Karabakh and Eastern Zangezur. In Zangilan, a « smart village » named Aghaly has been built, where former displaced persons have already returned. The transformation of liberated territories into a clean energy zone is becoming a key focus of the government’s ambitious plans for alternative energy development. By presidential decree, the entire Karabakh area has been designated a green energy zone, and discussions are already underway regarding the export of electricity generated from renewable sources, marking the beginning of a new era in Azerbaijan’s energy strategy.
Azerbaijan Prepares for COP29: The Focus of Armenian Diaspora
From November 11 to 22, Azerbaijan will host one of the significant climate conferences—COP29. This event will serve as a pivotal moment for global cooperation in the fight against climate change, establishing new commitments, supporting vulnerable nations, and raising public awareness about the importance of sustainable development.
Notably, Armenia withdrew its candidacy to host COP29 in support of Azerbaijan, which invited all countries, including Armenia, to participate in the conference. Many nations view this as a positive sign toward achieving a long-awaited peace agreement between the two countries. However, this is not universally supported, particularly among the Armenian diaspora in Western countries, who oppose peace in the South Caucasus. A negative trend against Azerbaijan is evident in social media and some Western media outlets, often with a political undertone. For example, The Washington Post has published accusations against Azerbaijan in the lead-up to COP29. Azerbaijan, which has liberated its territories from foreign occupation, ended illegal separatism, and investe billions in global projects while being the first to propose a peace agreement with Armenia, is accused of « seizing the Nagorno-Karabakh and expelling ethnic Armenian population from their homes”. These claims reflect a brazen disregard for the truth, heavily influenced by the financial interests of the Armenian diaspora.
How will Azerbaijan respond? With dignity. The country has prepared everything necessary for a large-scale climate event. Tens of thousands of guests, including experts and government officials, will gather in Baku soon. Ultimately, what matters is the perspective of the countries in the region, as the peace agreement will require only two signatures—from Azerbaijan and Armenia.