BAKU - Azerbaijan has spent 28 billion manats ($16.5 billion) on reconstruction in Karabakh and East Zangezur, where 96,000 people now live, work or study, President Ilham Aliyev said.
Aliyev gave the figures on Oct. 2 during the eighth congress of the ruling New Azerbaijan Party, according to Vesti Baku.
Residents Have Returned to 48 Communities
The president said former internally displaced people have been resettled in 48 cities, towns and villages. The 96,000 figure also includes people working and studying in the territories.
Most of the 28 billion manats has gone to infrastructure projects, many of which have been completed, Aliyev said. He added that the Great Return resettlement program would proceed at a faster pace in the coming years.
Energy Exports and Security
Aliyev linked Azerbaijan’s economic capacity to its international influence, noting that the country produces and exports crude oil, refined products, natural gas, electricity, petrochemicals and fertilizer.
He said energy security has become part of partner countries’ national security and argued that Azerbaijan’s geopolitical role would continue to grow. Aliyev also listed military strength and an independent foreign policy as long-term state priorities.