2023 is a significant year in the life of the Azerbaijani people, and Azerbaijanis all over the world are celebrating the 100th anniversary of our National Leader Heydar Aliyev. Heydar Aliyev left historical traces in the development of our statehood and was remembered for his services. Taking into account these factors, 2023 was declared the "Year of Heydar Aliyev" by the Decree of the President of the country dated September 29, 2022.

It should be noted that one of the historical services of Heydar Aliyev is related to ensuring the socio-economic development of Karabakh and especially the role in the development of the city of Shusha as the center of Karabakh. During the last 100 years, Armenian invaders have occupied Karabakh lands from time to time with the help and active support of their foreign patrons. After the fall of the USSR, Karabakh was completely occupied. It was the Great Leader Heydar Aliyev who, after coming to power for the second time, strengthened the attributes of statehood in Azerbaijan, laid the foundation for building a national army, and conveyed the truths of Karabakh to the whole world. This national strategy, which was founded by Heydar Aliyev, was further improved by Commander-in-Chief Ilham Aliyev and resulted in the liberation of our lands from occupation in the Great Karabakh Victory, which began on September 27, 2020 and lasted for 44 days. At present, among the priority areas of action, the intensification of Karabakh restoration, the formation of higher technology-based service areas in the economic development of Shusha city have been brought to the fore.

It should be noted that, a number of special decisions were taken with the direct initiative, insistence and leadership of the Great Leader Heydar Aliyev in the second half of the 1970s, in terms of the development of the city of Shusha and in accordance with those decisions, the historical monuments, buildings of the city built were restored, and large hotel complexes, new residential and separate administrative buildings were built. Thus, additional working places were opened in Shusha, the standard of living increased, and the national spirit of Azerbaijanis strengthened.

In modern times, the strategic importance of the revival of Shusha is quite large. Thus, the liberation of the city of Shusha from occupation played a decisive role in the Great Karabakh Victory. The battle of Shusha, which entered the military textbooks of the world, became a legend, the unparalleled bravery and heroism of the conquerors of Shusha will live throughout history. It is for these reasons that Shusha is currently viewed and valued as the main center and reference temple in the process of revitalization of lands freed from occupation in Karabakh. The socio-economic development priorities of the city of Shusha have already been determined, and now the city resembles a large construction site. Everywhere, ancient monuments and architectural examples are being repaired, social and service infrastructure is being created, and residential buildings are being built. In short, the processes of revitalization of the city of Shusha are intensive.

It is of strategic importance to ensure the socio-economic revival of the city of Shusha and the formation of the city's sectoral structure, national ornaments, traditional values, employment areas and other issues. Shusha is increasing its strategic position year by year as the cultural center of the Turkish world. At the same time, it has the status of a valuable holy place that unites and gathers Azerbaijanis from all over the world. Shusha is considered the pearl of the South Caucasus, and Shusha is one of the most valuable regions and valuable strategic centers of Azerbaijan.

Based on the conducted construction work in modern times, we can say with certainty that the socio-economic revival of Shusha city can be evaluated as the strategic development impulses of Karabakh at the same time.

 

 

    Professor of Sumgayit State University,