The Importance of Turkey-Azerbaijan Cooperation in the Return Policy of Forced Displaced Persons in Azerbaijan after the Second Karabakh War

The First Karabakh War resulted in the forced internal displacement of approximately one million Azerbaijanis. This war led to a large-scale humanitarian crisis, leaving the hopes for the return of IDPs in the region hanging in the balance for many years. Following the 2020 Second Karabakh War, Azerbaijan's recapture of the occupied territories opened a new window of opportunity for the return of IDPs. However, this process has also brought along serious economic, social and infrastructural problems. In this context, Turkey's foreign assistance to the return policies of forced migrants in the post-Second Karabakh War period is of great importance. This paper analyses how Turkey's foreign aid to Azerbaijan contributed to the return process of forced migrants. Turkey's assistance in areas such as infrastructure support, education projects and social services has an important place in the reconstruction of the region and the repair of the social fabric. In this context, the effects of aid on international co-operation and regional stability are also evaluated.