The transformation of the territories liberated after the 44-day Patriotic War into a platform where political and institutional decisions are discussed is an indicator of a new stage. In 2022, the joint meetings of the Milli Majlis committees held in Shusha were not only symbolic in this regard but also demonstrated the expansion of the geography of parliamentary activity. In the coming years, especially in the 2026 perspective, the possibility of holding committee meetings in the liberated regions generates public interest and also raises the question of under what conditions such meetings could be possible.
Modern.az contacted the committee chairmen of the Milli Majlis regarding the issue.
Tahir Rzayev, Chairman of the Agrarian Policy Committee, emphasized the possibility of these meetings:
"Visiting the liberated territories, familiarizing oneself with the construction, restoration, and reconstruction works carried out there, observing these processes on site, and being moved by them is a source of pride for every citizen. Indeed, very large and important projects are being implemented in those territories.
We have also visited these territories several times. In 2022, as the Agrarian Policy Committee, we also held our meeting in the liberated territory, and that event took place with a very broad participation. Decisions were made on site, and discussions were held.
If such events are planned, I believe they should be programmed and foreseen in advance. To my knowledge, several proposals have been put forward in this direction in the Milli Majlis, and our esteemed chairman has highly appreciated these initiatives. However, proposals for organizing such events have been voiced not only in Shusha but also in other liberated districts and villages – for example, in Aghdam, Lachin, and other regions.
If this is possible within technical and organizational capabilities, we are ready to hold events not only in Shusha but in every liberated district and village. This would be a source of pride and meaningful for both local residents and ourselves".
Zahid Oruc, Chairman of the Human Rights Committee, stated that the meetings held by the Milli Majlis in Shusha are significant events from a legal, political, and state-building perspective.
"For many years, the legislation of our country was practically not applied in the occupied territories, and this was expressed with certain limitations and reservations when acceding to international documents from a legal perspective.
When acceding to various international conventions and protocols, the Azerbaijani state repeatedly declared that the application of these provisions was not guaranteed in the occupied territories. This remained a point that contradicted the sovereignty principle of our state, both legally and morally.
Now the situation has changed: our constitutional legal system has been unified, and our laws are now applied in all liberated territories. In this context, the committee meetings of the Milli Majlis held in Shusha are not just ordinary events, but the triumph of the victorious state's legitimate will, the restoration of law, and the full affirmation of state sovereignty.
Henceforth, the exercise of constitutional powers by state bodies throughout the country, as well as the physical implementation of legislative activity precisely in these lands, marks a turning point in the history of Azerbaijan".
Even centuries later, these meetings will be remembered not merely as protocol events, but as a turning point of symbolic and historical significance. Because this demonstrated to the entire world that our lands are fully an integral part of the Azerbaijani state from a legal and political perspective:
"For 30 years, fake parliamentary meetings, events, gatherings, and receptions were held in the occupied Karabakh territories under the organization of a so-called entity. The elimination of all these, along with the restoration of our territorial integrity, Azerbaijan's historic victory, and subsequently the establishment of sovereignty by state bodies and official government institutions in those lands, is a significant historical event".
Zahid Oruc noted that Shusha has already become a political center, and therefore, holding meetings here is expedient:
"As a result of the consistent and principled policy pursued under the leadership of President Ilham Aliyev, Shusha has gained not only the status of a cultural capital but also a political capital. It is precisely as a result of this policy that many international events, official meetings, and visits by foreign representatives were held in Shusha, documents were signed there, and strategically important documents such as the Shusha Declaration were adopted there.
This indicates that these territories have also become a center from a political and state-building perspective. Delegations of the Milli Majlis also participated in various levels of meetings in these territories during this period, and visits by foreign guests were organized.
Although official events of the Milli Majlis are not yet planned to be held in these territories in the future, this issue is being closely monitored by the leadership. It is not excluded that steps in this direction may be taken next year, both at the committee level and within the parliament's own action plan".
Fazil Mustafa, Chairman of the Committee on Public Associations and Religious Organizations, considered it more appropriate for the Committee on Legal Policy and State Building, as well as the Committee on Economic Policy, Industry, and Entrepreneurship, to hold meetings in those territories.
"Holding such events in the liberated territories was necessary at that time. This also held particular importance for demonstrating the fact of the liberation of the lands to the international community and for foreign propaganda.
Currently, there are no such restrictions, and in any case, it is possible to organize conferences and other events there. Nevertheless, holding committee meetings primarily in the center, in a more business-oriented environment, is considered more expedient. Also, our committee's meetings are not very intensive. Meetings of the economy and law committees are more frequent.
If a need arises and it is deemed appropriate, committee meetings can, of course, be organized again in those territories. However, at the current stage, this is not as relevant as before. It should be noted that at that time, many had not seen those regions, and these events were an opportunity for committee members to familiarize themselves with the territories and observe the construction works carried out there on site. Now, individual visits to those territories are possible, and from this perspective, the issue is not as relevant today as it was before," the committee chairman emphasized.
