Azerbaijan's Embassy in Romania has hosted an official reception marking November 8-Victory Day at Club Diplomatic in Bucharest, the embassy told Report.
The event brought together Romanian officials, government representatives, deputies and senators, public and political figures, heads of accredited diplomatic missions, academics, cultural figures and local media executives. Representatives of the Turkish and Tatar communities, the Iranian Azerbaijani community, and Azerbaijanis studying and living in Romania also attended.
The ceremony began with the national anthems of both countries, followed by a minute's silence in memory of those who died for Azerbaijan's territorial integrity.
Addressing the reception, Azerbaijani Ambassador Gudsi Osmanov highlighted the historical significance of the Patriotic War. He said Azerbaijani territories had remained under occupation for nearly 30 years, more than one million Azerbaijanis had been displaced through ethnic cleansing, cities and villages had been reduced to ruins, and four UN resolutions had remained unimplemented.
Osmanov said the Azerbaijani people had never accepted this historical injustice. He noted that the army, led by President and Commander-in-Chief Ilham Aliyev, restored Azerbaijan's territorial integrity during the 44-day Patriotic War, which began on September 27, 2020.
Turning to the post-conflict period, the ambassador highlighted Garabagh's revival, large-scale reconstruction and restoration work, and international projects underway in the region.
He said Azerbaijan's victory had brought lasting peace to the region and should be regarded as a shared victory for its peoples, laying a firm foundation for peaceful coexistence.
Romanian Senate President Mircea Abrudean, the guest of honor, spoke about the significance of November 8 in Azerbaijan's history, saying it had opened a new chapter in the South Caucasus's development.
He described Romania as Azerbaijan's reliable friend and strategic partner, noting that bilateral friendship rested on shared strategic interests and mutual trust.
Abrudean said growing threats to regional and international security underscored the importance of respecting sovereignty and territorial integrity and resolving disputes through diplomacy.
Describing the current moment as the beginning of a new era of change for the South Caucasus, he said it was time for the region to become known for the development of economic, energy and transport projects.
A short video dedicated to Victory Day was then screened.
Guests also viewed a photo exhibition highlighting Azerbaijan's victory, reconstruction in the liberated territories and the landmine problem.
The reception concluded with dishes from Azerbaijan's national cuisine.