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May 7, 2005

A ceremony was held at the Heydar Aliyev Foundation on the 60th anniversary of the Victory in the Great Patriotic War

On May 7, the Heydar Aliyev Foundation hosted a ceremony on the occasion of the 690th anniversary of the Victory in the Great Patriotic War.


Invited war veterans first visited the Alley of Honors to pay a tribute to national leader of Azerbaijan Heydar Aliyev, where they have laid a wreath and flowers at his tomb. 

 

Veterans stressed they will never forget the attention and care shown to them, honored blessed memory of great leader, wished him to rest in peace. 

 

At the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, the veterans were warmly met by its President, UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador, Mrs. Mehriban Aliyeva, who offered them congratulations on the holiday and best wishes for their good health and long life. 

 

Employees of the Foundation have informed the veterans on the Foundation's activity and familiarized them with the displays from personal archive of Heydar Aliyev reflecting different periods of the national leader's life and activities. 

 

Veterans were familiarized with exhibits taken from personal archive of nationwide leader and reflecting different periods of his activity, as well numerous photos reflecting very different moments of his life and creating wide impression of an entire era of Azerbaijani history, books gifted to great son of our people. Unique photos confirm once more that this genius person passed very rich and interesting life. Things used personally by him caught attention of each of those that passed difficult way in the war like precious and unique exhibits. 

 

Veterans saw photo-gallery of nearly 35-year period of leadership of constructor of independent Azerbaijan in our republic. Pictures reflecting implementation of oil strategy of Heydar Aliyev, which connects over the last 10 years not only Azerbaijan but all the South Caucasus to the world with big-scale projects, services of our nationwide leader towards strengthening the friendship of Azerbaijan with world countries caused special interest. 

 

Then meeting was held with veterans at the table at Heydar Aliyev Foundation. 

 

Veterans warmly welcomed Azeri President Ilham Aliyev and his spouse Mehriban Aliyeva. 

 

President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev sincerely met with each of veterans of Great Patriotic War, took interest in their cares and problems, said veterans will further be rendered attention and help. 

 

Reminding historical services of great leader Heydar Aliyev, veterans showed President Ilham Aliyev photographs taken with him and said they do not forget attention and care shown to them by savior of our people Heydar Aliyev. They wished his father to rest in peace and said he successfully continue his line in all fields. We thank You for all these. 

 

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev addressed the meeting.  

 

Speech of President Ilham Aliyev:

 

Dear veterans!

 

Dear friends!

 

Dear ladies and gentlemen! 

 

Let me congratulate all of you on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the Victory over fascism in the World War II, and wish you good health and long life.

 

I am very happy to celebrate this victory together with you. I want you to know that I will continue to take care of the veterans. You have great services, and have passed along the great path. You have made invaluable contribution to development of Azerbaijan, our state. Every citizen, everyone, especially an official, must take care of you. I have charged all the officials subordinate to me with solving your problems. You have wan this right. You had been working selflessly for welfare of the Azerbaijani people. 

 

The World War II was the most terrible and the bloodiest one in the history of mankind. Azerbaijan as part of the Soviet Union was actively involved in that war. About 700 thousand citizens of Azerbaijan fought heroically, and a half of them did not come back. Nobody should forget this heroism. 

 

Following the World War II, many European countries got their liberty. Azerbaijan, however, has got its true liberty after regaining of its independence. The first years of independence were too difficult for our country; it faced a great danger. Only after our national leader Heydar Aliyev returned to power in Azerbaijan, the situation started to change, all the threats were eliminate, and the country's confident development began. 

 

Over these years, over the last 10-11 years, Azerbaijan has achieved a great progress. Our country has strengthened its positions in the world, and the economic reforms have been speeded up. Today, Azerbaijan is a leading country in the region. 

 

As you know, during the World War II much depended on the people working at the home front. We also know that the World War II was that of motors, tanks and lanes. At that time, the greater part of the Soviet Union's oil potential was concentrated in Azerbaijan. The Azerbaijani oil workers produced 75% of the Soviet oil. That oil was refined, converted into fuel, and contribute to our common victory. Today, the whole world recognizes if it were not Azerbaijan's oil, the war results might have been different. 

 

All those who battled or worked at the home front are worthy of profound respect. Your example is extremely important to form the generations to come. Our young generation should be grown up and educated in the spirit of patriotism. From this point of view, your post-war activities are also of a great importance. 

 

I am very glad that traditions initiated by our national leader Heydar Aliyev are continued today in Azerbaijan. As you know, during the first years of our independent, some forces were trying to abandon the May 9 holiday, and the attitude towards veterans has changed. We can see this in some counties even today. But after our national leader came back to power in Azerbaijan in 1993, the situation completely changed: all the negative tendencies were eliminated, and the attitude towards the veterans became as good as they deserve. Justice was restored, and today, the May 9 Victory Day is widely celebrated in Azerbaijan. 

 

This policy in continued in Azerbaijan. I stated more than once that the political course of our national leader Heydar Aliyev would be continued in all spheres. This will bring new successes, new victories to us, and the people of Azerbaijan will live better, and the social problems will be solved sooner. In particular, more assistance will be provided to the people who need social protection. And of course, care of the veterans must be on a due level. 

 

I am very happy the Heydar Aliyev Foundation is conducting such a wonderful event. The Heydar Aliyev Foundation is actively involved in social life of Azerbaijan, implementing a lot of programs, particularly focusing on social problems, helping uncared-for children and needy people. I think the activity of the Foundation named after national leader of our people Heydar Aliyev is worthy of this name. 

 

Today, I am very happy to be here with you to mark the Victory Day. I am happy to see you again. I am happy to see you hearty and, as always, young. I wish you always be as you are. Accept once again my heartfelt congratulations on the Victory Day. I wish you live long and continue to serve your people, our nation. 

 

Happy Holiday!  


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