On September 20, 2023, Azerbaijan's territorial integrity and state sovereignty were fully restored. This is one of the most significant events in the centuries-old history of our people's statehood. Declaring September 20 as "State Sovereignty Day" reflects the exceptional importance of this historic event for our statehood.

MP Azay Guliyev said this to Operativ Media.

He noted that restoring sovereignty is not the end of the road, however; the real challenge lies in protecting, strengthening, and reliably passing it on to future generations:

"One of the most crucial conditions for protecting our sovereignty is the continuous development of a strong state model. A strong state does not just mean a strong army. A strong state is one that pursues an independent policy, preserves its national unity and political solidarity, and possesses a strong economy, a stable financial system, modern legislation, effective public administration, strong human capital, and a reliable security system. All of these have been secured in our country.

In particular, the 2020 Victory and the full restoration of sovereignty in 2023 demonstrated that when national will, a strong leader, and the solidarity of the state and the people unite around a single goal, even the most complex historical tasks can be resolved.

In the coming period, one of the main tasks is to preserve this solidarity and unity around statehood.

Protecting sovereignty also depends on ensuring the security of the country's citizens, socio-political stability, and peace. It would not be an exaggeration to say that Azerbaijan is a true model in this regard.

At the same time, it must be noted that against the backdrop of current global geopolitical upheavals, conflicts, and wars, being prepared for external and internal challenges and integrating all components of national security—including military, economic, energy, food, information, and cybersecurity—under a single strategy is among our country's top priorities. In the 21st century, a state's sovereignty is not measured solely by the inviolability of its borders. A state that is not economically independent, lags in technology, cannot ensure its energy and food security, or fails to protect its information space is also more vulnerable to various external influences.

On the other hand, we must not forget that although a de facto peace exists with Armenia, a de jure peace treaty has not yet been signed. The visit of foreign diplomats to Kalbajar and the hysterical reaction of Armenian society and authorities to Presidential Assistant Hikmet Hajiyev speaking historical truths about the Albanian monuments there showed once again that this country's peace declarations can never be trusted. Therefore, we must always keep this factor in mind. The restoration of Karabakh and East Zangezur is also one of the most important links in this new model of statehood. This is not just about rebuilding destroyed cities and villages. The main issue here is the modern infrastructure, economic opportunities, education and healthcare systems, and the safe and comfortable living environment that Azerbaijan has created on its own, without any external support, in the liberated territories, as well as how and at what high quality and pace the return of people to their native lands is being carried out. It should also be noted that within the framework of the Great Return, our territories are being cleared of mines in parallel. This can be called, without exaggeration, an unprecedented achievement in the world, an Azerbaijani model.

Finally, a strong, independent, and sovereign state is completed by a strong citizen. A state's long-term strength depends on its human capital. Therefore, it is of strategic importance for young people to receive a quality education, gain knowledge and experience at the world's leading universities, and be involved in science, technology, innovation, and public administration. This factor holds a central place in President Ilham Aliyev's political course, and today we see its concrete results.

In this regard, the future guarantee of our sovereignty is, first and foremost, our strong state, our national unity, and our strong citizens."