Aliyev declares Shushi cultural capital of Azerbaijan

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev has declared Nagorno-Karabakh’s (Artsakh) town of Shushi the cultural capital of Azerbaijan, RIA Novosti reports.

Shushi was occupied by the Azerbaijani military during the recent 44-day war.

"I declare Shusha the capital of Azerbaijani culture. The town of Shusha deserves it,” he said at a video conference with the country's minister of culture.

According to Aliyev, religious and historical monuments in the town will be restored.