Elchim Yusubov, the special representative of the President of Azerbaijan in Stepanakert, recently spoke at a forum about the city’s population and plans for expansion. According to Yusubov, Khankendi is home to over 3,000 residents, consisting of state employees and individuals involved in various business activities. Additionally, there are currently 43 institutions operating in the city, with more than 300 people employed. Yusubov also shared that plans are underway to open 37 additional facilities soon, with an expected increase in residents following the establishment of Karabakh University.
In related news, Baku has introduced a program called “Great Return,” aimed at resettling 34,500 families in Karabakh and “Eastern Zangezur” by 2027. The initiative includes the construction of apartments and individual residential buildings for these families. Following Azerbaijan’s military aggression in Artsakh on September 19-20, 2023, approximately 105 thousand Artsakh Armenians sought refuge in Armenia. The current population of Armenians in Artsakh remains uncertain due to a lack of official statistics. However, the Red Cross was able to assist 25 individuals in establishing contact with their relatives in Armenia or other locations as of December last year.
