On February 19, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev visited Ballija village in the Khojaly district to inspect the ongoing restoration of individual houses and infrastructure. The head of state also met with a group of residents who had recently returned to the village.
During the visit, President Ilham Aliyev delivered remarks.
Remarks by President Ilham Aliyev
- "Former IDPs have been living in Ballija village for the past two months. Today, I met several returning residents and personally observed their living conditions. I am delighted to see life returning to Ballija after such a long absence. Displaced families are steadily coming back to their ancestral lands in groups, almost every month, as part of the Great Return Program.
Nearly all the territories that were once under occupation are now undergoing restoration. Just yesterday, I reviewed construction and restoration efforts in Aghdam district, and today, I am here in Ballija after visiting Khankendi. Great progress is being made across the region, with new jobs and businesses emerging. By my decree, Garabagh University has been established, and already, more than 1,000 students are enrolled. We are doing everything necessary to restore life here—building schools, medical centers, and other essential infrastructure to bring back our cities and villages.
The restoration of Ballija village is also in its final stages. Based on the latest updates, 137 houses have already been restored, with about 60 more nearing completion. So far, 460 former displaced persons have returned to Ballija. In addition to rebuilding homes, we are ensuring that residents have ample opportunities for agriculture and farming. The land is fertile, the air is clean, and the entire Karabakh and East Zangezur regions are reviving before our eyes.
As a state, it is our duty to create the best possible conditions for those who have longed for their homeland for decades. This is my primary responsibility as President today. We ended the occupation. In 2023, through our successful anti-terror operation, we fully liberated this region. Now, we are restoring life in Ballija and hundreds of other settlements.
Importantly, we are accomplishing all this on our own. No external assistance has been provided—we rely solely on our own resources, strength, and the capabilities of the Azerbaijani people. Every restoration and construction project is funded by the state and completed within a short time.
It has been four years since the Second Karabakh War, and just look at the immense progress made—not only in Khojaly district but across all liberated territories. However, restoring the city of Khojaly has been among our top priorities, given that its people endured some of the greatest hardships during the First Karabakh War, including genocide and displacement.
That is why, after the Second Karabakh War ended on November 10, 2020, all the internally displaced people had stated that our work would not be complete until Khojaly was fully liberated. Not only Khojaly, but also Khankendi, Aghdara, Khojavand, and Asgaran districts are now completely free from occupation. Hundreds of villages are waiting to welcome back their rightful residents.
Ballija village is the 10th settlement we have rebuilt and repopulated as part of the first phase of the Great Return Program. I emphasize again that around 500 people have already returned here. Families who once lived in this region—along with their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren—are coming back to reclaim their homeland.
This is proof of the deep-rooted attachment of our people to their native lands. Today, even young children—who have never seen this region before—are eagerly returning to live, work, and build a new future here.
In my many meetings with returning IDPs, I always ask young people if they find life here difficult or boring. Their response is always the same: “No, we do not,” because they feel a strong connection to their homeland. This reflects the high moral values of our people.
I sincerely congratulate you. Since December 13, families have been returning in phases, and this process will continue. More homes still need to be restored, and we will restore them. Our goal is for people to live here comfortably, safely, and happily. Rest assured, the Azerbaijani state will continue to do everything necessary for this in the future.
Once again, I extend my heartfelt congratulations to you all."
Following the speech, the residents expressed their gratitude to the head of state for the living conditions provided.
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President Ilham Aliyev then posed for photographs with the residents.
