Azerbaijani president speaks of his country’s role in the South Caucasus
By M. Alkhazashvili
(Translated by Diana Dundua)
(Translated by Diana Dundua)
Wednesday, November 28
President Ilham Aliyev emphasized Azerbaijan’s regional importance at a ceremony marking the 15th anniversary of the New Azerbaijan Party last week.
“[No] regional project can be implemented without Azerbaijan’s participation. I want to say that very frequently we are the initiators of big projects that are important for us and for the whole region as well,” said Aliyev, according to the news agency Regnum.
He also praised his predecessor and father, Heydar Aliyev, for developing political pluralism, democracy and freedom of speech in the country.
“15 years ago Azerbaijan was in an extremely difficult situation and its state of independence faced serious danger. But in 1993, the Azeri population elected Heydar Aliyev as a president. The people trusted that he would overcome this crisis and his wisdom, political experience and courage would save the country,” he said.
“[No] regional project can be implemented without Azerbaijan’s participation. I want to say that very frequently we are the initiators of big projects that are important for us and for the whole region as well,” said Aliyev, according to the news agency Regnum.
He also praised his predecessor and father, Heydar Aliyev, for developing political pluralism, democracy and freedom of speech in the country.
“15 years ago Azerbaijan was in an extremely difficult situation and its state of independence faced serious danger. But in 1993, the Azeri population elected Heydar Aliyev as a president. The people trusted that he would overcome this crisis and his wisdom, political experience and courage would save the country,” he said.