The more nations are united in a state, the richer it becomes, as each of them contributes to the world culture and civilization.
Heydar Aliyev
A ceremonyin Berlin devoted to the 20th anniversary of regain by the Republic of Azerbaijan of state independence
Solemn ceremony dedicated to the 20th anniversary of the restoration of the state independence of the Republic of Azerbaijan was held in Berlin, September 29.
Azerbaijan’s First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva partook in the ceremony organized at the initiative of Heydar Aliyev Foundation.
First Lady of Azerbaijan Mehriban Aliyeva made a speech at the ceremony.
Speech by Mrs. Mehriban Aliyeva:
- Dear First Lady!
Dear guests, ladies and gentlemen!
I sincerely welcome you at the evening dedicated to the 20th anniversary of the restoration of the independence of Azerbaijan. I express gratitude to Mrs Bettina Wulff for being with us today and for the words she said about our country and me personally.
This ceremony has been organized by Heydar Aliyev Foundation. We aim at raising the world community`s awareness about Azerbaijan’s past and present, history and culture, accomplishments achieved during the past 20 years.
Since 1991, Azerbaijan has been integrating into the world community – the place of liberty, democracy and publicity. As an independent country we are too young, however, Azerbaijan has an ancient history. The first states in South Caucasus, on the coast of Caspian Sea emerged in 2-1 millenniums B.C. One of the most ancient civilizations in the East was formed just in Azerbaijan. Azerbaijan, which was located on the Historical Silk Road, at the junction of civilizations and cultures, was for centuries formed under the impact of the Western and Eastern cultures. Though Azerbaijan was part of different empires in different times, our nation managed to protect its history, language, religion, culture and national identity.
Today, as an independent country, we are building our future on the basis of our origins and traditions. The People’s Republic of Azerbaijan established in 1918 was the first democratic parliamentary republic in the Muslim East. At the time, Azerbaijan became a real lighthouse for the whole Muslim East. The first secular school was opened for Muslim girls, Azerbaijani women were entitled to franchise, a multiparty parliament was functioning in the country, the first opera and ballet in the East was composed.
Unfortunately, the People’s Republic existed too shortly. The Republic faced quite serious geopolitical problems and factors. The increasing interest in Baku oil was one of the significant factors. As a result, our country lost the independence and the soviet power was created in Azerbaijan through military intervention. During over 70 years our people existed under severe conditions of the soviet regime. But those years Azerbaijan’s economic potential was formed, an education network was created, secondary and higher schools were opened, the National Academy of Sciences was set up.
Lastly in 1991 our country gained independence and the people of Azerbaijan became the owner of its fate and land. We have made great achievements during these 20 years. We are rapidly developing due to building a brand new political and economic system. Azerbaijan is a leading country in the South Caucasus. Azerbaijan`s economy makes up 75% of the total economy of South Caucasus. All large projects underway in the region are realized with participation and on the initiative of Azerbaijan.
In the past years, Azerbaijan is among the leader countries worldwide for the growth of economic rates. European Union recognizes Azerbaijan as a strategic partner in the field of energy security. Azerbaijan is ready to play its role in Europe’s oil and gas supply.
Rapid development embraces all spheres in our country. Nonoil sector rises, huge infrastructure projects are performed, look of our capital and other towns change. Only this year 5 new 5-star hotels are to be opened in our capital Baku and this shows the yearly increasing interest in our country.
Our greatest wealth is our cultural heritage, Azerbaijan`s carpet weaving school, fine arts, literature, music, history and architectural monuments. According to the special state programme, theaters and museums in the country are restored, new cultural centers opened. Monuments are preserved by the state.
Policy with social character is conducted in Azerbaijan, since 2003 more than 900,000 new workplaces have been opened, over 2000 new schools have been built, poverty has fallen from 49 to 9 percent.
Dear guests, I would like to emphasize that our country has gained all these achievements in the existence of the prolonged problem like the Armenia-Azerbaijan, Daghlig Garabagh conflict that has not been resolved yet. Today, our country has one million refugees and IDPs, twenty percent of our territory is under occupation. We hope that the conflict will soon be solved fairly and peacefully and every refugee, every IDP will return to its native land.
Today, Azerbaijan enhances and strengthens cooperation with EU and member countries. Relationship with Germany, one of our major partners among these countries, occupies a special place. These relations have a long history. Germans have arrived and settled in our country yet in earlier centuries. At the time, famous German businessmen were operating in our country. Today, relations between our countries in the economic, political, humanitarian, cultural spheres successfully develop. Bilateral programmes are carried out in different fields, hundreds of Azerbaijanis study at the leading universities of Germany, big German companies function in Azerbaijan. I hope this event will contribute to the enhancement of our friendly ties.
Dear guests, today, we will present a small part of Azerbaijan’s ancient and rich culture to you. Culture brings people together irrespective of their religion and nationality, serves the dialogue and understanding, which, to me, is one of the most necessary factors in today’s complicated world.
Dear friends, in the end, I want to once more express my deep thanks to you for supporting our two young talents in Eurovision Song Contest. In Azerbaijan we were expecting this victory and we are very proud of this. As a winner of previous Eurovision, you probably well understand our feelings.
Dear friends, taking the opportunity, I invite you to our country. I once again express my deep gratitude to you for being with us this evening, and wish you happiness and peace.