Russian experts on V Congress of World Azerbaijanis in Shusha

On April 22, the V Congress of World Azerbaijanis started in Shusha - the cultural capital of Azerbaijan. The meeting was the first after the historic victory of Azerbaijan in the Second Karabakh War and brought together 450 Azerbaijanis from all over the world on one platform. For two days, delegates are discussing topical issues of the activities of diaspora organizations.

Russian experts shared their wishes for the V Congress of World Azerbaijanis in interviews with the Russian Bureau of Report.

According to Daria Grevtsova, deputy director of the Institute for Political Studies, visiting Shusha is a dream of many Azerbaijanis.

"Of course, the venue for holding the congress of World Azerbaijanis was not chosen by chance. This is the territory that Azerbaijan has returned within a short time. Shusha is in the heart of many Azerbaijanis, so it is a dream of many to visit this city. There will be a lot of such congresses and conferences ahead, people from all over the world will see what is Karabakh and how Azerbaijan correctly and clearly formulates its policy," she said.

Political scientist and director of the Center for Political Studies Sergei Markov spoke in a similar way, noting that Shusha will become a platform for many international events.

"We are overwhelmed with joy that the V Congress of Azerbaijanis from all over the world is now taking place in Shusha. Russian deputies were the first to hold an international conference in Shusha after its liberation and partial restoration of the districts infrastructure. We are confident that the program of President Ilham Aliyev will be fully implemented, and Shusha will become a tourism cluster and a venue for many other international events."

The expert congratulated the participants of the congress.

“I congratulate our colleagues and friends from diasporas around the world that they can gather today in Shusha, in the city close to the hearts of Azerbaijanis. We wish that all the liberated regions of Karabakh could develop successfully in the future. I think it will happen quickly."

Markov also stressed that Russia has always supported and continues to support the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan.

For his turn, Vice-Rector for Research of the Diplomatic Academy Oleg Karpovich wished all the participants in the congress and the world Azerbaijanis health and prosperity.

"I would like to wish world Azerbaijanis health and prosperity - this is quite enough to build a peaceful, calm life, and tomorrow will bring only positive things for all citizens of Azerbaijan," he said.

Deputy of the State Duma of Russia Oleg Shein shared his impressions of his visits to Azerbaijan. According to him, he and his family visited Azerbaijan many times, and traveled to many different parts of the country.

“Azerbaijan today is a wonderful tourist center. Shusha is waiting for Russians, French, and Germans - people from all over the world. Shusha is the cultural pearl of Azerbaijan. This is the city that will have to get a second life and be reborn within the framework of the country to which it has always historically belonged," Shein said.