A memorial ceremony titled “The road to Victory” dedicated to September 27 - Memorial Day, was held in Payas, a city in Türkiye’s Hatay province.

The event took place at the historic Sokullu Mehmet Pasha Complex and was jointly organized by the State Committee on Work with Diaspora of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Fund for Support to Azerbaijani Diaspora, the Payas Municipality, and the Hatay Azerbaijan House.

At the ceremony, the cherished memory of the martyrs of the two brotherly countries was honored with deep respect, followed by the national anthems of Türkiye and Azerbaijan. A video, shared on social media by the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, on the occasion of Memorial Day, as well as a video prepared by the State Committee on Work with Diaspora highlighting our glorious Victory, were presented.

In his opening speech, Bekir Altan, Mayor of Payas, welcomed the guests and spoke about the significance of Azerbaijan’s historic victory in the 44-day Patriotic War, the cherished memory of the martyrs, and the strong relations between the two brotherly countries.

In their speeches, Valeh Hajiyev, First Deputy Chairman of the State Committee on Work with Diaspora, Kürşad Karaca, District Governor of Payas, and Başar Kömür, Head of the Hatay Azerbaijan House, highlighted Azerbaijan’s determination in its just struggle and the moral support extended byTürkiye during this time. They emphasized the nshakable unity of the two nations, both in good times and in difficult times.

The speakers recalled the words of the national leaders of the two nations, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, "Azerbaijan's joy is our joy, its sorrow is our sorrow" and Heydar Aliyev, "One nation, two states", and emphasized that President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and President of the Republic of Türkiye Recep Tayyip Erdoğan have successfully continued to strengthen the relations between our countries based on this historical principle.

The event concluded with the raising of the glorious flags of Azerbaijan and Türkiye to the sound of the song “Çırpınırdın Qara dəniz” ("You were Fluttering, Black Sea"), performed by People's Artist Azeri, with the participation of state officials, diaspora activists, and members of the local community.