Aliyev Displays Military Might in Nakhchivan and Again Mentions '42 km' through Armenian Territory

During his 17th visit to Nakhchivan, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev participated in several infrastructure and military project inaugurations. His visit featured a packed agenda from day one, including laying flowers at the Heydar Aliyev monument in the city center, attending a ceremony for the handover of combat flags, and touring the construction sites of the 50-megawatt capacity solar power plants "Şəms 1" and "Qərbi Üfüq." He also laid the foundation stone for the Nakhchivan industrial park, opened the "DOST" regional center, and acquainted himself with new electric buses set to hit the roads starting tomorrow.

As part of the visit, the reconstruction works for the autonomous railway infrastructure were presented, alongside the restoration of the Momine Khatun mausoleum and architect Acemi’s monument in Nakhchivan, the city's main planning, and the establishment of the first five-star hotel in the city.

In an interview with "AzTV," Aliyev twice mentioned the figure of "only 42 kilometers," first referring to the length of the railway running through Armenian territory, and then to the distance between the Zangelan and Ordubad regions. The president emphasized that physical security is a priority and that strengthening Nakhchivan's defensive capabilities has been a key issue due to its geography and the absence of a geographical connection with the main part of Azerbaijan.

During the combat flag handover ceremony, the latest technology and new commando forces were showcased. He recalled that under his command, a separate army corps has been established in the autonomous region, adding that the Azerbaijani armed forces are "a decisive factor in the region."