Despite the fact that Azerbaijan declared the restoration of its independence in 1991, the political crisis caused by the incompetence of the government, activities of internal and external destructive forces aimed at undermining the foundations of the state, the emergence of separatist tendencies in different regions, and severe socioeconomic situation put the country face-to-face with the threat of civil war and the loss of independence. The situation was further exacerbated by Armenia’s aggression and occupation of Azerbaijan’s lands.
And in such a fateful moment, the Azerbaijani people trusted their future to outstanding statesman Heydar Aliyev. After returning to Baku by popular demand, Heydar Aliyev was elected as chairman of the Supreme Council of the Republic of Azerbaijan on 15 June 1993 and as President of the Republic of Azerbaijan on 3 October of the same year.
It was thanks to Heydar Aliyev’s salvation mission that the processes threatening the state independence of Azerbaijan were thwarted and state-building issues were put in the focus of attention. Thus, 15 June went down in the history of Azerbaijan as the National Salvation Day.
The key priorities of National Leader Heydar Aliyev’s policy included achieving a ceasefire with Armenia, establishing public and political stability, building a democratic system and liberal economy, ensuring national army building and security, implementing a new oil strategy, accelerating Azerbaijan’s integration into the international arena, and achieving a fair settlement of the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.
1995 marked the launch of drastic reforms in all spheres of public life, a new Constitution was adopted, a multi-party system was built, political pluralism became a norm of society, freedom of speech and press was ensured. In parallel, significant steps were taken to build a market economy, the world`s leading companies were involved in exploiting the hydrocarbon resources in the Azerbaijani sector of the Caspian Sea, routes for the transportation of oil to the world market were defined and resources to ensure Azerbaijan’s development were made available in a short period of time.
Heydar Aliyev pursued a consistent and purposeful policy to transform Azerbaijan into a reliable partner in the system of international relations, raising the world community`s awareness of the material, spiritual and intellectual values of the country, secure the interests of the Azerbaijani state both in the region and in the world by taking into account the key aspects of national security and development.
The 1993-2003 time period, when Heydar Aliyev was in power and was elevated to the status of National Leader for his unparalleled services to the Azerbaijani people and state, marked a historic stage when Azerbaijan emerged as a state, formed and transformed into a full-fledged subject of the international community. These 10 years saw the implementation of the national development strategy of the Republic of Azerbaijan, and the people of Azerbaijan benefited from a rare historic opportunity and made their independence everlasting and irreversible at the cost of great suffering.
Since 2003, Azerbaijan has been implementing the policy of Heydar Aliyev, continuing and enriching it under the leadership of H.E. Mr. Ilham Aliyev, the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan. Thus, the successful foreign policy of Azerbaijan, conducted under President Ilham Aliyev’s leadership, reflects a commitment to the above-mentioned course of the comprehensive development of mutually beneficial relations with members of the world community. This policy is designed to enhance the prosperity and welfare of the Republic of Azerbaijan while ensuring ongoing development and well-being for its citizens.
In 2020, under the leadership of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Azerbaijani Armed Forces, President Ilham Aliyev, Azerbaijan liberated its internationally recognized territories from the almost 30-years occupation by Armenia, implementing UN Security Council 4 resolutions of 1993. In order to prevent further large-scale provocations by Armenian forces in the Karabakh economic region of Azerbaijan and to restore the constitutional order, the Azerbaijani Army conducted an anti-terror operation on September 19, 2023, which lasted just 23 hours, forced the enemy to surrender. This victory fully restored Azerbaijan’s sovereignty, and today, the Azerbaijani flag flies proudly in all territories where Azerbaijani sovereignty is established. Thus, Azerbaijan has officially declared 2025 as the Year of Constitution and Sovereignty.
Over the past years, the Republic of Azerbaijan has successfully chaired several important organizations such as the UN Security Council, the Non-Aligned Movement, the Organization of Turkic States, and many others.
It should also be highlighted that Azerbaijan`s successful hosting of the COP29 conference, which not only underscored the nation’s growing leadership in global climate action but also provided a vital platform for international cooperation.
All of the points mentioned above reflect Azerbaijan`s robust global diplomacy, the foundations of which were laid by the National Leader Heydar Aliyev, and its reputable standing as a reliable partner in multilateral negotiations.
