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Azerbaijanis in Los Angeles celebrate Republic Day

26 May 2014 11:40 (UTC+04:00)
Azerbaijanis in Los Angeles celebrate Republic Day

By Sara Rajabova

The Consulate General of Azerbaijan in Los Angeles hosted a reception on the occasion of the 96th anniversary of the establishment of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic (ADR).

The well-attended reception held at the famous Riviera Country Club in Los Angeles, included representatives from California, Arizona, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Washington and other West Coast states of the United States.

The officials of the U.S. State Department, consuls general of foreign countries based in Los Angeles, professors of various Californian universities, journalists, as well as members of Azerbaijani, Turkish, Jewish and Iranian communities attended the event, the Consulate said.

Addressing the audience, Consul General Nasimi Aghayev spoke of the significance of the Republic Day--May 28-- for Azerbaijan, a date on which 96 years ago the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic, the first-ever secular democracy in the entire Muslim world was established.

May 28, 1918, marks the establishment of the ADR, the first independent republic and democratic state on the East. Although it existed for only 23 months, it brought about great progress in foreign policy, and introduced Azerbaijan to the international community.

Azerbaijan, which gained its independence in 1991 after the collapse of the Soviet Union, celebrates May 28 annually as the Republic Day.

Aghayev noted that this important event played a crucial role in strengthening of national statehood traditions of the Azerbaijani people.

Speaking of Azerbaijan's development as a free nation since the restoration of its independence, Ahgayev stressed that "under the astute leadership of President Ilham Aliyev, Azerbaijan has become a center of prosperity and stability in a challenging region, and turned into a regional hub for energy, trade and transportation."

Noting the increased awareness about Azerbaijan and its strategic importance on the West Coast of the U.S. during the last few years, Aghayev mentioned in this regard the unanimous adoption by legislatures of such West Coast states as Arizona, Hawaii and New Mexico of resolutions supporting Azerbaijan's territorial integrity, stressing the belonging of Karabakh to Azerbaijan and backing the Azerbaijan-U.S. strategic partnership.

Speaking of California, Aghayev stressed that within just 3 months of 2013, Azerbaijan's national flag was raised twice in the chamber of the California State Legislature and official introductions on Azerbaijan were held, which he considered as "a strong indicator of growing awareness about the country and its significance in California's political circles."

Majority floor leader of the Hawaii State House of Representatives, Rida Cabanilla highlighted the importance of the Azerbaijan-U.S. relationship, and presented a proclamation signed by the speaker of the Hawaii House of Representatives on Azerbaijan's Republic Day.

Then relevant Republic Day proclamations from Governors of California and New Mexico, from Los Angeles County, as well as cities of Los Angeles, Monterey and Honolulu were read out.

The reception continued with the performance of Azerbaijani music.

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