Azernews.Az

By Sara Rajabova

The youth serving in the armed forces will raise the Azerbaijani flag in Khankendi, Shusha, Lachin and other Azerbaijani lands occupied by Armenia.

Colonel-General Zakir Hasanov, Azerbaijani Defense Minister made the remark in his congratulatory address on the occasion of the Youth Day -February 2, the Ministry said.

Hasanov said it is an honor for the Azerbaijani youth to serve in the country's armed forces and they fulfill their tasks with dignity.

He noted that Azerbaijani armed forces mainly consist of the youth. “Being the driving force of the society, the youth serving in the army are fully aware of the holy duty to the homeland and the nation.”

Hasanov added that thanks to the high professionalism of Azerbaijani officers and soldiers, the enemy’s provocations are vigorously prevented.

He once again expressed gratitude to the parents of the servicemen who lost their lives while defending Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity.

Furthermore, Hasanov said the organization of the First Youth Forum, and the establishment of the Youth Day were initiated by national leader Heydar Aliyev.

“Today, the state youth policy, founded by the national leader, is successfully continued by Azerbaijani president, Supreme Commander-In-Chief of the Armed Forces of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev,” he said.

Hasanov expressed confidence that the youth serving in the armed forces will continue to be faithful to the Constitution of Azerbaijan, the military oath and charter, achieve new success in moral and psychological training and under the leadership of the supreme commander-in-chief of the armed forces will raise the Azerbaijani flag in occupied Azerbaijani territories.

Armenia captured Nagorno-Karabakh and seven surrounding regions from Azerbaijan in a war that followed the Soviet breakup in 1991. More than 20,000 Azerbaijanis were killed and nearly 1 million were displaced as a result of the war.

Large-scale hostilities ended with a Russia-brokered ceasefire in 1994 but Armenia continued the occupation in defiance of four UN Security Council resolutions calling for immediate and unconditional withdrawal.

--

Sara Rajabova is AzerNews’ staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @SaraRajabova

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz