The Decree of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan on declaring 2023 as the "Year of Heydar Aliyev" in the Republic of Azerbaijan.
On May 10, 2023, it will be 100 years since the birth of the National Leader of the Azerbaijani people, the founder of the independent Azerbaijani state, and the distinguished political and statesman, Heydar Aliyev.
Heydar Aliyev successfully guided his people through complex historical-political trials and, through persistent struggle, led them to independence. The Azerbaijani people entered the new century and millennium under the light of Heydar Aliyev's genius. Modern Azerbaijan, confidently advancing on the path of development, is the triumph of Heydar Aliyev's life goal.
During his first term in office, Heydar Aliyev achieved great strides in the development of the social, economic, scientific-technical, and cultural fields in our republic in a very short period, thanks to his extraordinary administrative skills, iron will, and high patriotism. These years, during which the course of our history and the rhythm of our lives radically changed and the feelings of freedom and independence began to dominate our national consciousness, are the brightest pages of Azerbaijan's construction history. The decisive steps taken by the Great Leader to restore the historical memory, by directing the nation's creative energy to one goal, served to revive the national spirit, secure self-awareness, and return to roots, becoming the foundation stone for the creation of an independent state.
Heydar Aliyev's remarkable talent for state governance manifested itself brilliantly during the years when he worked as one of the leaders of the USSR and carried out large-scale projects. Heydar Aliyev always placed the interests of his people first and used all available resources for the development of our country.
In the 1990s, when Azerbaijan regained its independence, our country faced the threat of being erased from the political map of the world and losing its statehood due to Armenia's aggression, external pressures, and internal conflicts. In a critical moment for our fate, Heydar Aliyev returned to power in response to the strong demands of the people, demonstrating unprecedented self-sacrifice for the salvation of his homeland, rescuing the country from political fragmentation and anarchy, halting the deep decline observed in all sectors, and charting a sustainable development path for the restored state, which he protected from all attacks.
Heydar Aliyev's life journey and exceptional activities in all its stages complemented each other, representing a living embodiment of his close connection with his people and his loyalty to the idea of national statehood. With profound knowledge and deep thinking, Heydar Aliyev addressed the most pressing issues concerning Azerbaijani society, not only in the period of independence but throughout all periods. The Great Leader, seeing the organic connection between different sectors of public life, accurately identified the tasks in his national development strategy and skillfully implemented them in the fields of public, political, social, economic, cultural, and other areas. The successful realization of Heydar Aliyev's national oil strategy enabled our people to become full owners of their natural resources, and in a short time, resources that gave a strong impulse to the development of our country were obtained. The adoption of Azerbaijan's first Constitution, the implementation of radical reforms covering all spheres, the establishment of a democratic and rule-of-law state, and the creation of a regular army are exceptional services of Heydar Aliyev to the people of Azerbaijan. The formation of the ideology of Azerbaijaniism, the protection of the state language, the creation of the tradition of regularly celebrating the landmark events of our social, political, scientific, and cultural history, and Azerbaijan's reputation as a tolerant place at the crossroads of civilizations with a centuries-old spiritual and cultural heritage are all integral components of Heydar Aliyev's perfect building program.
Standing among the most influential politicians of his time, Heydar Aliyev played a key role in introducing the modern face of Azerbaijan, its rich values, and ensuring a deserved position for our country in the international relations system. The resolution of the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict based on international law principles was one of the primary tasks set by the Great Leader, and all of the country's resources and the potential of our people were mobilized to restore historical justice. Heydar Aliyev's monumental achievement was proven with the victory in the 44-day Patriotic War, in which Azerbaijan demonstrated its ability to protect its independence and sovereignty.
Heydar Aliyev, who left an indelible mark in our state's history, is recognized worldwide as a symbol of Azerbaijan. Our people will always honor his cherished memory with respect and gratitude, and the day of his return to power is celebrated as the state holiday of Azerbaijan - National Salvation Day.
Independent Azerbaijan is the legacy of the Great Leader for future generations, and his rich and multifaceted legacy is the national wealth of our people. Preserving this sacred heritage is an honorable duty for every Azerbaijani.
Based on Article 109, paragraph 32 of the Constitution of the Republic of Azerbaijan, with the aim of ensuring the state-level celebration of Heydar Aliyev's 100th anniversary, I hereby decide:
To declare 2023 as the "Year of Heydar Aliyev" in the Republic of Azerbaijan.
The Administration of the President of Azerbaijan Republic is tasked with preparing and submitting to the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, within two months, the proposals for the action plan related to the declaration of 2023 as the "Year of Heydar Aliyev."
Ilham Aliyev
President of the Republic of Azerbaijan
Baku, September 29, 2022
