Azernews.Az

By Laman Ismayilova

Shusha has played host to the official opening ceremony of the III Diaspora Summer Youth Camp, Azernews reports, citing Azertac.

Around 115 young people from 50 countries are attending the summer camp being realized within the Year of Shusha as announced by the president.

Azerbaijan's national anthem was first played at the opening ceremony and a minute of silence was observed to pay tribute to the martyrs, who gave their lives for Azerbaijan's territorial integrity.

Chairman of the State Committee for Work with Diaspora Fuad Muradov addressed the opening ceremony.

He stressed the historic significance of holding the summer camp in Azerbaijan's cultural capital and recalled that a few months ago, the V Congress of World Azerbaijanis was also held in Shusha at the initiative of Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev. Muradov described the ceremony as one of the most significant events in the history of the Azerbaijani Diaspora and congratulated the participants in the camp on this occasion.

In his speech, Fuad Muradov also touched upon Azerbaijan's victory in the Second Karabakh War. He noted that the historic victory was achieved thanks to the far-sighted policy of Supreme Commander–in–Chief Ilham Aliyev and the Azerbaijani army.

"Azerbaijan is a highly tolerant nation. We have never occupied alien lands. You should be proud of this and carry out an ideological struggle against the country's enemies. We want you to return from here and express your position to the parliaments, governments of your countries, as well as international organizations. We strive to support young people living abroad so that they can take appropriate positions," Fuad Muradov added.

"We invite young people living abroad, who have achieved successes in science, technology, and other fields, to Azerbaijan and organize their meetings with representatives of state structures. Young people should be active in the Diaspora movement. From this point of view, Diaspora Summer Youth Camp is important for ensuring the sustainability of the diaspora activities," he concluded.

The head of the Department for Humanitarian Policy, Diaspora, Multiculturalism and Religious Issues under the Presidential Administration, Nigar Hajiyeva, welcomed the youth camp participants and wished them further success.

Youth and Sports Minister Farid Gayibov noted that Azerbaijan makes powerful investments in youth, noting the country's high rate of youth development.

Executive Director of the Youth Foundation Farid Jafarov noted the unity of the Azerbaijani youth during the Patriotic War was also achieved thanks to the unity of young people.

Director of the Regional Development Public Union Muhammad Abdullayev said that the the organization of Diaspora Summer Youth Camp has already become a tradition.

Chief of Staff of the Economy Ministry Ministry Ayaz Aliyev noted that youth is the driving force behind the economic development of any nation, and called on the diaspora youth to actively work for Azerbaijan's economic development.

The III Diaspora Summer Youth Camp is jointly organized by the State Committee for Work with the Diaspora and the Heydar Aliyev Foundation in partnership with the Ministry of Youth and Sports, the Azerbaijan Youth Foundation, the State Tourism Agency, and the Shusha State Reserve Department.

The project serves the purpose of uniting Azerbaijani youth living in different countries of the world around a single platform.

The program includes acquaintance with the monuments of the city of Shusha destroyed during the Armenian occupation, visits to sacred places, and meetings with members of martyr families and national heroes.

The summer camp also provides for the organization of entertainment programs and intellectual games.

The I Diaspora Summer Youth Camp (2018) was held in Shaki under the motto "100th Anniversary of the Azerbaijani Republic" while the second one (2019) was dedicated to the outstanding poet and great thinker Imadaddin Nasimi.

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Laman Ismayilova is AzerNews’ staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @Lamiva993