Independent Azerbaijan is greatest monument to Heydar Aliev’s memory'

A commemorative feast on the occasion of 10th anniversary of the death of national leader Heydar Aliyev was given on behalf of President Ilham Aliyev in Heydar Aliyev Center on December 12.

President Ilham Aliyev, his spouse Mehriban Aliyeva, public members from across the country attended the event, SIA reports quoting official website of the President as saying.

The ceremony began with the recitation of the verses from Holy Koran.

The President addressed the ceremony.

"Today we mark anniversary of the death of great leader Heydar Aliyev.

Ten years ago the country lost its great son. But each year of this decade was a year of triumph of Heydar Aliyev’s policy. Over those ten years Heydar Aliyev’s policy continued and Azerbaijan developed successfully.

Heydar Aliyev is a great historical figure. Creator of independent Azerbaijan, its founder. In 1991, Azerbaijan gained independence as a result of the collapse of the Soviet Union. However, it would be incorrect to consider Azerbaijan independent until 1993. An independent state has few features, but Azerbaijan had none of them. Azerbaijan could not pursue an independent foreign policy. It was influenced by other states. There was no independent economy. We can say, in general, the economy was destroyed. The foundations of statehood were not created. So, it would be incorrect to consider Azerbaijan an independent state until 1993.

It is thanks to wisdom and policy of Heydar Aliyev that, Azerbaijan, in the truest sense of the word, became an independent state. So, we all rightly perceive Heydar Aliyev as the builder of independence of Azerbaijan and it is the biggest merit of Heydar Aliyev to the history and the people.

In 1993, the Azerbaijani people showed great wisdom, turned to Heydar Aliyev in the most difficult time for our country and people, invited him to power. Why? There were several reasons. First of all, the works carried out by Heydar Aliyev in 1970-1980s lived in people's memory. Prior to 1970, Azerbaijan was the most backward republic in the Soviet area. But thanks to Heydar Aliyev’s activity in the early 1980s, Azerbaijan became the most advanced republic in the Soviet area. Those years were living in people's memory.

At the same time, Heydar Aliyev has always been with the nation in the most difficult times for our people. And during the 20 January tragedy, he raised his voice rightly. Then, there was still two years before the collapse of the Soviet Union. However, Heydar Aliyev raised his manly voice, condemned the crime of the Soviet leadership. He accused the Soviet leadership, left the Communist Party and demonstrated true leadership qualities. It is thanks to Heydar Aliyev’s decision that Azerbaijan’s national flag - the tricolor flag of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic - was declared a national flag in Nakhchivan.

All this suggests that, regardless of socio-political system, Heydar Aliyev has always been a true leader, a real leader. That is why in 1993 - in the most difficult moments for our people - the people invited him to power which was followed by a period of stability and development in Azerbaijan. Foundations of statehood were laid, the Constitution of independent Azerbaijan was adopted and major reforms were launched. Azerbaijan could take its firm place in the international arena. Reforms conducted internally ensured its development.

Azerbaijani state is built on a very deep national roots, national values. Rapid development of Azerbaijan in 1993-2003 also provided our current realities. It is thanks to the policies carried out in those years that Azerbaijan embarked on a path of development, demonstrated its principled position on all issues regarding domestic policy in international arena, won great respect in the world. Reforms initiated in the country have played a crucial role for our country.

Heydar Aliyev's policy continued thereafter. In 2003-2013, Azerbaijan went down into history as the most rapidly developing country in the world. Foundation for this development was laid by Heydar Aliyev. We, remaining committed to the policy of the great leader, continued and enriched it and led Azerbaijan forward confidently.

Over the last ten years there have been great achievements, results, progress in any direction. With the great support of the international community, Azerbaijan was elected a member of the UN Security Council, which is the most authoritative structure in the world. Azerbaijan became the fastest growing economy in a global scale. There results in all areas are obvious.

Baku has become one of the most beautiful cities in the world. Program on improvement of our regions has been successfully implemented. State programs on socio-economic development of regions have also been implemented successfully. We have become a space power. Azerbaijan launched a satellite orbit into. We have implemented important energy and transport projects for our country, for peace, which over the next decades will serve a prosperous life of our people and our country.

The main condition for achievement of all these successes is our fidelity to Heydar Aliyev’s policy. Ten years ago, I promised the people of Azerbaijan that if they trust me, I will stay true to this policy, will not deviate from this path. I am glad that all the promises were realized. Over those ten years, the policy of Heydar Aliyev continued and developed, bright memory of Heydar Aliyev lived in hearts of the Azerbaijani people.

The successes achieved by Azerbaijan over the past 20 years are now being studied and researched in the world, various articles and research papers are written, the secrets of successful development of Azerbaijan are being studied. I have been repeatedly asked questions about how Azerbaijan managed to achieve such a great development in recent years.

Of course, one can talk about it long. Today I just want to say that you need to be tied to your people and love your people. You need to be committed to the state. You need to put independence above all and be a leader like Heydar Aliyev. Thanks to his wisdom and determination he won the love of the Azerbaijani people. In the most difficult times the Azerbaijani people was sure that Heydar Aliyev will protect the independence, interests of the state, our nation and the state, will take the right decision regarding the development of our people. A trust of the people gave him extra strength. It allowed him to more successfully defend the interests of the country. The unity of the people and government is the main reason for our success. The people of Azerbaijan, Azerbaijani citizen, his problems and concerns stand at the foundation of our policy. In this case, of course, there will be progress. Deliberate policy should be carried out, unity of the people and the government should be strong, and of course , resolute policy should be carried out to occupy a worthy place in the modern world, on the world map.

We learned and will learn these all from Heydar Aliyev. The young people also receive education in the spirit of patriotism. The younger generation should also go this way in the future. Heydar Aliyev's policy should continue. This policy has no alternative for a happy future for our country. I said it ten years ago, and I say it today and life has confirmed this, too.

If in 1993 or in 2003, Azerbaijan went the other way, our country would face a great tragedy. Our advantage and our happiness lie in the fact that the Azerbaijani people showed wisdom at crucial moments, and, made the right choice and that choice is correct. This choice will also ensure our future success.

Today, this ehsan is being held in the majestic center named after Heydar Aliyev. This center is one of the most magnificent buildings in the world. The center is a monument to the memory of Heydar Aliyev. But the greatest monument to Heydar Aliyev’s memory is the independent Azerbaijani state.

Here today we have representatives from each regions, intellectuals, elders and famous people. The whole of Azerbaijan is here today. Today, ehsan is given in every region of our country commemorating the great leader. It is a sad day today. Ten years ago, Azerbaijan lost its great son. At the same time, today is the day of national unity and national solidarity. Today the Azerbaijani people are more closely rallied around Heydar Aliyev’s policy, around his ideas.

I am sure that this policy will continue successfully in the future. All roads in front of us, all horizons are open and clear. We go forward, we go to the development and will continue to lead Azerbaijan through Heydar Aliyev’s policy and will continue to ensure a happy future for the Azerbaijani people. May God bless the soul of the great leader."