(MENAFN- Trend News Agency) BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 21. Large-scale work
is underway to restore and build infrastructure on the liberated
territories of Azerbaijan, thanks to which formerly displaced
persons can return to their home after 30 years, reports.
President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev pays special attention to
the implementation of these major strategic infrastructure
projects. Restoration work on the liberated territories fits into
the country's development strategy. Investments into transport and
energy infrastructure on the liberated territories give
opportunities for economic growth of the country as a whole.
In this regard, the opening of Zangilan International Airport
with the participation of President Ilham Aliyev and President of
Türkiye Recep Tayyip Erdogan on October 20 was significant.
Azerbaijani economic expert Ilgar Valizade said the opening of
the airport is an important event in terms of formation of a
transport hub of regional significance.
'These airports, a system of road communications, railways,
which will connect the western region of Azerbaijan with Nakhchivan
and Türkiye, are connected with regional system of highways,
regional and international system of international airports and
with the emerging railway network in the region,' he said.
'It's no coincidence that President Erdogan is also
participating in the opening of these important facilities.
Earlier, President Ilham Aliyev took part in the opening of the
international airport in Artvin, Türkiye, which is a very important
project, because it will ensure communication between the eastern
regions of Türkiye and the western regions of Azerbaijan,' Valizade
stated.
He noted that railways constructed in Karabakh are also aimed at
connecting Azerbaijan with Türkiye.
'Today we are witnessing the construction of the
Kars-Igdir-Nakhchivan railway and after the implementation of the
Zangezur corridor construction project, this network will be merged
with the railway network of Azerbaijan and Iran. We see that the
Iranian side is also interested in participating in the
construction of this transport infrastructure,' he said.
Valizade stressed that implementation of all these initiatives
(construction of airports, highways and railways) is aimed at
forming new economic reality in the region.
'I want to remind that presidents of Azerbaijan and Türkiye
participated in laying the foundation of Gumlag railway in
Jabrayil. This is also another indicator that these projects are of
significant importance. Central Asian countries consider Azerbaijan
and Türkiye to be links between Central Asia and Europe. The
growing rates of cargo transportation by all modes of transport
indicate that the region needs a new transport infrastructure, an
increase in throughput. All projects implemented by Azerbaijan are
indicators that the country is ready to adequately respond to these
processes,' he added.
According to economic expert Emin Garibli, implementation of
these projects attracts more investment into Azerbaijan's economy
and creates sustainable economic growth.
'Implementation of these initiatives of Azerbaijan on its
liberated territories gives an additional impetus to the
development of the entire region,' he said.
Thus, the world accepted the reality of Zangazur corridor, which
will unite the entire Turkic world and change the transit
significance of Azerbaijan, as well as the geo-economic landscape
of the region. With the creative work being carried on Azerbaijan's
liberated lands, the Head of state once again sends a message to
the world that Karabakh is an Azerbaijani land.