Azernews.Az

Pakistan`s influential Diplomatic Star journal has published an article entitled "26th June 2013: 95th anniversary of Azerbaijani Armed Forces".

The article says: "Throughout centuries Azerbaijan was always targeted by different empires due to its strategic geopolitical position and rich natural resources. Nevertheless, Azerbaijanis have always heroically resisted invaders ensuring their national identity and fought for liberty and statehood".

Informing the readers about the history of Azerbaijan, the author writes "after collapse of the Czarist Russia in 1918, the first democratic republic in the East - the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic was established".

The author mentions the Democratic Republic founded all attributes of the independent state, including the national army which was established on June 26, 1918.

The article also touches upon services of talented Azerbaijani officers of former Russian Empire General Samadbey Mehmandarov and Lieutenant General Aliagha Shykhlinski in fight against enemies.

The author also says, "Azerbaijan divisions traversed a glorious path of battle from the Caucasus to Berlin".

Touching upon national leader Heydar Aliyev`s services in army building, the author writes, "Only during leadership of National Leader Heydar Aliyev the issue of training of Azerbaijani officers came to agenda. In 1971, Heydar Aliyev achieved creation of Military Lyceum named after prominent commander General Jamshid Nakhchyvansky. Heydar Aliyev also achieved admission of Azerbaijani youth to the Baku High United Command and Baku High Navy schools, as well as other high military schools in USSR on preferential terms".

The author also says Azerbaijan has faced Armenian military aggression following its restoration of independence in the mid of the 20th century.

"In 1993, the National Leader of Azerbaijan Heydar Aliyev led the country on persistent demand of Azerbaijanis. In short span of time he was able to unite his nation, form strong army which was able not only to halt aggression but to liberate the substantial parts of occupied lands as well. The ceasefire agreement was signed in 1994 that made possible to emphasize all efforts on development of economy and reorganization of military forces".

The author also says the national leader Heydar Aliyev`s Army building policy has been successfully continued by President Ilham Aliyev, adding "establishment of the Ministry of Defense Industry was one of the most important steps taken by the Government of Azerbaijan on the way of forming a modern Army and to provide self-sufficiency in military hardware."

Finally, the author says, "Today, the Azerbaijan Armed Forces is the most powerful in the South Caucasus. The forces equipped with the best available in the world market arms, with well trained and iron disciplined motivated personnel, with a budget exceeding the total state budget of Armenia and ready to perform with no hesitation any order of its Supreme Commander in Chief - this is the picture of today`s Azerbaijan Armed Forces".