Azernews.Az

By Aynur Jafarova

The 90th anniversary of Azerbaijani National Leader Heydar Aliyev has been solemnly marked around the world.

The events held in France, Pakistan, China, Iran, the Netherlands, Lithuania, Germany, Kazakhstan, South Korea, the United Kingdom, Belarus, Romania, Georgia, Morocco were attended by public figures, Azerbaijani students in these countries, representatives of foreign countries' diplomatic missions, representatives of Azerbaijani Diaspora, as well as journalists.

The Azerbaijani Embassy in Paris jointly with the Heydar Aliyev Center organized an event to mark May 10, the 90th anniversary of the Azerbaijani National Leader.

A documentary film dedicated to the life and activity of Heydar Aliyev was demonstrated at the event, which took place on May 8.

The event brought together the political and public figures of France, representatives of the diplomatic missions accredited to Paris as well as representatives of the Azerbaijani community.

Addressing the event, Azerbaijani Ambassador to France Elchin Amirbeyov provided an insight into the life and work of Heydar Aliyev.

Amirbeyov spoke about Heydar Aliyev's role in the establishment of an independent Azerbaijan, saying that he managed to preserve Azerbaijan's independence, to prevent civil war and to save the country from chaos in the early 1990s, during a hard time for the country, thanks to his high professionalism, his commitment to the Motherland and people.

Aliyev developed and implemented a long-term development strategy of Azerbaijan's statehood, and thanks to him Azerbaijan integrated into the international community; a ceasefire was reached in the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, important political and economic reforms were carried out and a new constitution was adopted.

As a result of Heydar Aliyev's sagacious oil strategy, "the Contract of the Century" was signed with world energy majors in September 1994. This historic event directed foreign investment to the development of the Azerbaijani economy and paved the way for the implementation of large-scale strategic energy projects, such as Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan, Baku-Supsa and Baku-Tbilisi-Erzurum. Thanks to the successful implementation of Heydar Aliyev's policy and strategy by the current government, Azerbaijan's role and clout on the world stage was strengthened and this process continues today.

Addressing the event, chair of the France-Azerbaijan friendship group and member of the French National Assembly, Thierry Mariani, said that the leadership skills of Heydar Aliyev had given an impetus to the dynamic development of the country's economy and the attraction of tremendous foreign investments. The current social and political stability, religious and racial tolerance in Azerbaijan builds on a strong foundation laid by Heydar Aliyev in those days.

Former French Ambassadors to Azerbaijan Jean Perrin and Jean-Pierre Guinhut shared their impressions and memories related to the National Leader, saying that Heydar Aliyev was one of the most eminent and skillful politicians, and a clever leader of the nation.

The event featured a concert.

The Azerbaijani Embassy in Seoul also marked the 90th anniversary of the Azerbaijani National Leader with a dinner and a traditional Azerbaijani classical music concert. More than 80 guests enjoyed the masterpieces of Azerbaijani composers.

Highlighting the achievements of the National Leader, Charge D´Affaires of the Azerbaijani Embassy Ramzi Teymurov said that Heydar Aliyev was a powerful personality who saved the country and the nation from severe trials and achieved political, economic and cultural progress of the country.

On May 8, an exhibition dedicated to Heydar Aliyev which displays photographs of the National Leader and books dedicated to the founder of the modern Azerbaijani state was held in Germany. German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle visited the exhibition, which was of great interest and involved around 350 visitors.

Furthermore, a bust of Heydar Aliyev created by well-known Russian-born US sculptor Sergey Eylanbekov was opened in Los Angeles.

Heydar Aliyev's 90th anniversary was in focus of the foreign press as well.

Libyan Al-Liwaa newspaper published an article, "Aliyev...Man of eras", dealing with the National Leader's life and activities.

Spain's influential magazine Diplomacia Siglo XXI issued a special edition about Azerbaijan which is dedicated to the 90th anniversary of Heydar Aliyev.

Bulgaria-based Standart newspaper published an article titled "Heydar Aliyev created the modern Azerbaijan". The article says more than 30 years of Azerbaijan are associated with Heydar Aliyev's wise policy and outstanding activity.

The May edition of the Turkish Diplo Atlas journal is dedicated to Azerbaijan due to the 90th anniversary of the Azerbaijani National Leader.