"I declare Shusha city the capital of the Azerbaijani culture. Shusha city deserves it. I reckon that it can be considered the cultural capital of not only Azerbaijan, but also the region," President Ilham Aliyev has said while receiving in a video format newly appointed Minister of Culture Anar Karimov.

The head of state has noted that the restoration works in Shusha city have already been launched: "The inspection of the population and historical monuments must be conducted, the damage must be estimated, and we should start the restoration of Shusha city. Nevertheless, the initial, historical face of Shusha must be restored without wasting time and at the same time, without a hurry." 

The President has underlined that the mosques located in Shusha should also be renovated, and their true appearance must be returned.