Azerbaijan Ambassador to Egypt Elkhan Polukhov with Turkish ambassador Salih Mutlu Sen.
The ceremony featured a keynote address by Azerbaijan’s Ambassador to Egypt, Elkhan Polukhov, who highlighted the historical significance of the 44-day Patriotic War, which ended nearly three decades of occupation of Azerbaijani territories.
Ambassador Polukhov particularly emphasised the liberation of Shusha, the “crown of Karabakh,” on 8 November, describing the operation as a unique military achievement by the Azerbaijani army under the leadership of President Ilham Aliyev.
He praised the patriotic youth, noting that the army recorded no deserters and the slogan “Long live Motherland” resonated across the country during the conflict.
“The people of Azerbaijan never accepted occupation, demonstrating unwavering determination to restore their territorial integrity,” Polukhov said, adding that each day of the 44-day war is remembered as a glorious chapter in the nation’s history.
The ambassador also highlighted progress in the Azerbaijani-Armenian peace process, citing the Joint Declaration and the initialling of the Agreement on Establishment of Peace and Inter-State Relations during the Washington summit on 8 August 2025.
He said these steps bring the two countries closer to resolving the decades-long conflict, offering hope for sustainable regional peace.
Polukhov expressed pride in celebrating the occasion in Cairo, citing Egypt’s historical, cultural, and religious ties with Azerbaijan, as well as its role in regional diplomacy.
He referenced the Sharm El-Sheikh Summit for Peace on 13 October, jointly chaired by President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi and US President Donald Trump, which resulted in the signing of the Gaza Agreement Document by its brokers, Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey.
The ambassador reaffirmed Azerbaijan’s support for a peaceful resolution to the Palestinian conflict, noting the country’s provision of scholarships for 14 students from Gaza to attend leading universities in Azerbaijan.
The event also celebrated State Flag Day on 9 November. Ambassador Polukhov traced the history of Azerbaijan’s three-colour flag, first adopted in 1918 by the Democratic Republic of Azerbaijan and restored in 1991 after the collapse of the Soviet Union.
Since 2009, following a decree by President Aliyev, the day has been recognised as a public holiday.
“The flag is a key symbol of our statehood, national sovereignty, and commitment to Turkic culture, democratic foundations, and Muslim civilisation,” Polukhov said.
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