ISLAMABAD: The Republic of Azerbaijan celebrates the 30th anniversary of the restoration of independence.
History proves that maintaining independence is much more difficult than gaining it. In a one century Azerbaijan had to restore its sovereignty twice. The first time it was relatively short period, and the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic, the first republic in the muslim world history established in 1918 but existed for only 23 months.
Azerbaijan was able to secure its state independence after the collapse of the Soviet Union in the 1991. The Constitutional Act on the State Independence of Azerbaijan was adopted on October 18, 1991 by the Supreme Council of the Republic of Azerbaijan. And Azerbaijani people gained their long-awaited freedom after years of oppression. On March 2, 1992, Azerbaijan became a member of the UN.
The first years of independence were not easy for the young sovereign country and faced enormous difficulties. On the one hand, the Armenian military aggression continued, on the other hand, the economy was paralyzed due to the collapse of the existing system. There were serious threats and risks to the Azerbaijani statehood. It was during this difficult period that the great leader of Azerbaijan Heydar Aliyev came to the power in 1993 at the insistent demand of my people. Great leader eliminated chaos and anarchy in economic and political life of the country. Independent Azerbaijan has outlined a new course of development, making the independence eternal and irreversible.
Today, under the leadership of President Ilham Aliyev, Azerbaijan is one of the fastest growing countries in the world.
Azerbaijan has become a leading country in the region and has achieved a sustainable economic development.
Azerbaijan has become a major player, actively initiating and carrying out major projects aimed at ensuring stability, security and wellfare in the region and beyond it. Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline, Baku -Tbilisi-Kars railway, the South Caucasus pipeline, TANAP and TAP projects made and will make a great contribution in this respect.
Azerbaijan plays an active role in the creation and developing of internatronal transport corridors such as East-West, North-South and South-West transit routes over its territory.
The authority and huge potential of Azerbaijan have a positive effect on the expansion of our international relations.
Azerbaijan, as an independent state, expanding and deepening its activities at the regional and global levels, including cooperation in the international organization.
Azerbaijan is recognized as a leader in the region and a reliable partner in the international arena.