Azerbaijani embassy in Germany commemorates Heydar Aliyev's death anniversary
By Sara Rajabova
Azerbaijani Embassy in Germany on December 12 held an event dedicated to the 10th anniversary of Azerbaijan's national leader Heydar Aliyev`s death.
December 12 marks the 10th anniversary of the death of the architect and founder of the independent Azerbaijan, world-renowned politician, National Leader Heydar Aliyev.
According to the embassy, the event dubbed "Life on the fate of the People" was co-organized by the European Azerbaijanis Congress and Coordination Center for Azerbaijanis in Germany.
Nearly 100 participants consisted of the representatives of Germany's scientific and political community, the Azerbaijani and Turkish diasporas and Azerbaijani students studying in Germany attended the event.
The photo-exhibition dedicated to the life and activity of the national leader and books devoted to him were also displayed at the commemoration ceremony.
Addressing the event, Azerbaijani Ambassador to Germany Parviz Shahbazov said Heydar Aliev devoted his whole life to the development of Azerbaijan. He also spoke about the importance of Aliev's diverse heritage.
Shahbazov briefed he audience about the national leader's courageous steps on preservation of national identity and historical memory of Azerbaijan during Soviet times.
He stressed Heydar Aliyev's exceptional services in revival and development of Azerbaijan, which was face to face with the threat of political disorder and civil war, under the circumstances of Armenia's military aggression.
Shahbazov said with signing of "Contract of the Century" in 1994, he laid the foundation for the development of the Azerbaijan's economy.
He went on to say that the global projects undertaken by the national leader are currently playing a major role in the integration of Azerbaijan and the region in whole to the world economic unity.
Shahabazov said only Armenia has isolated itself in the region for its policy of aggression.
He noted that Armenia, which continue the occupation of Azerbaijani lands for over 20 years and doesn't allow more than one million Azerbaijanis to return to their native lands, hinder the development of the region, and poses a major threat to its peace and stability.
Armenia occupied over 20 percent of Azerbaijan's internationally recognized territory, including Nagorno-Karabakh and seven adjacent regions, after laying territorial claims against its South Caucasus neighbor that had caused a lengthy war in the early 1990s.
The UN Security Council has adopted four resolutions on Armenia's withdrawal from the Azerbaijani territory, but they have not been enforced to this day.
Shahabazov said Azerbaijani government has successfully continued the farsighted foreign policy course of Heydar Aliyev and currently the country is the leader of the region.
Then documentary film "When to say Azerbaijan..." was shown and the event continued with "Ehsan dinner."
Heydar Aliyev was a historic personality; a kind of person whom the history creates and a personality who creates history. He was a true leader and a phenomenal political figure, loyal to his people and national principles.
Heydar Aliyev participated in the most complex and contradictory historical processes that took place in the world without losing his composure in difficult situations, appreciating geopolitical changes that could dramatically affect people.
Heydar Aliyev was a unique leader, who gained the love and respect of millions of people through his bright ideas and genuine work. And he will remain with us eternally through his ideas and the work he accomplished for the future of Azerbaijan.
Azerbaijani National leader Heydar Aliyev died on December 12, 2003, but the memory of the brilliant politician is alive to this day.
Events commemorating the memory of Heydar Aliyev are traditionally held in a number of foreign countries.