May 28, Independence Day, is a glorious history when our people’s ideal of freedom and will for statehood were declared to the world. On that day, our independence was recognized by the world with the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic. However, this joy did not last long. Just two years later, our state independence was taken away from us as a result of the occupation by imperial executioners. At the end of the last century, Azerbaijan regained its freedom and returned to the world map as an independent state. But this time, too, our statehood faced severe trials, and the fate of our independence was in danger. In those complex days when the fate of the people and the state was being decided, June 15 appeared on the stage of history and was etched in memory as the National Salvation Day.
June 15 became the peak point of preserving the independence granted to us by May 28, saving our statehood, and carrying it into the future.
If May 28 is the birthday of our independence, June 15 is the day its salvation, survival, and eternity were ensured.
Our national leader Heydar Aliyev was born on May 10, was reborn for Azerbaijan on June 15, and by leading our independent country through storms and tempests, he wrote a history of salvation that will never be forgotten.
This sacrifice, heroism, and greatness could only be shown by leaders who emerged from the people. The great Heydar Aliyev withstood all difficulties, returned our freedom to us, and made June 15 the savior of May 28.
June 15 confirmed the truth that without Heydar Aliyev, Azerbaijan experienced hardships and tragedies. If our people did not have a son like Heydar Aliyev, a miserable life would have been waiting for us at the door. In that complex period, our country, which had turned into a tribune and a bridgehead for destruction for foreign and domestic enemies, had given way to chaos. The seizure of power by adventurers and their incompetent activities were driving Azerbaijan into an abyss. As a bitter scene of irresponsible governance, unemployment, social crisis, and humanitarian disaster had shaken solidarity and brought the threat of civil war to the agenda. The criminal situation in the country had reached such a point that public stability was almost destroyed. Against the background of anarchy, the enemy was occupying our lands, and state administration was facing fragmentation and conflicts internally. Such a situation was leading the country to a deep crisis and a dangerous state. The flame of separatism, fueled purposefully, was shaking the fundamental principles of the state, striking a blow to national unity, and leaving the country facing the threat of disintegration. These threats directed at the foundations of statehood had put the future of Azerbaijan in serious danger. Saving the country from this catastrophic situation was considered equal to a miracle. Returning to power at the persistent demand of the people, Heydar Aliyev, with his far-sighted policy, strong political will, and rich experience in statehood, pulled Azerbaijan back from the edge of the abyss and brought it to the center of the world’s attention.
Achieving national solidarity of the people, the Great Leader restored order, intensified the fight against crime, and by rebuilding state administration on solid legal-political foundations, achieved the formation of an environment of stability and development in the country. Carrying out the formation of civil society, the creation of constitutional foundations, and the establishment of modern state governance mechanisms with unique precision, President Heydar Aliyev also strengthened the economic foundations of Azerbaijan. Demonstrating great political will and determination, he achieved the signing of the “Contract of the Century”. With this, the flow of foreign investments into the country was ensured, and the foundation of economic revival was laid. In parallel, the process of army building was accelerated, the defense potential of the state was strengthened, and a solid foundation for future historical victories was formed. By achieving the signing of the ceasefire agreement and taking the country out of a heavy war situation, Heydar Aliyev simultaneously made army building one of the main directions of state policy. The Great Leader confidently stated that Azerbaijan would return to its native lands under occupation and restore its territorial integrity. This belief was voiced repeatedly in his speeches, further strengthening the people’s hope for the future. Thus, the consistent steps taken in the direction of state building, economic development, and the formation of a strong army created a solid foundation for the future great victory. Over time, Azerbaijan, under the leadership of President Ilham Aliyev, stamped its mark on history as a victorious nation. As a result of the victory achieved in the 44-day Patriotic War and the one-day anti-terror measures, our country’s territorial integrity and state sovereignty were fully restored. With this, Azerbaijan wrote one of the most glorious, proudest, and brightest pages of its modern history and reached its national goals.
Undoubtedly, the foundation of the victory we celebrate with pride today rests on Heydar Aliyev’s mission of salvation, the solid statehood system he built, and the professional army he created. The strategic goals determined with great foresight at the time became reality under the leadership of President Ilham Aliyev. The full restoration of Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity and sovereignty showed that the strong state model founded years ago successfully fulfilled its historical mission.
Today, Azerbaijan is among the states distinguished in the world by its level of development, reliability, and active participation in global initiatives. The world reckons with our country, the position we voice in international tribunals is listened to carefully, and Azerbaijan is shown as an example as a strong and influential state. It is Heydar Aliyev who laid the foundation of this powerful state, determined its development strategy, and created the basis for it to have a say in the world.
The Great Leader demonstrated a model of leadership and genius to the world and created an unbreakable unity between the people and the state. His political wisdom and historical services formed such a peak that even Azerbaijan’s enemies were forced to admit this greatness. Heydar Aliyev was the last hope of Azerbaijan and our people, and the historical chance that fate granted to our people. From this historical chance, we traveled the glorious path leading to victory with his great strategy.
June 15 was absorbed into memory as a declaration of this historical confirmation to the world and took its eternal place in our history as the salvation of our statehood and freedom. The National Leader, who turned this day of the calendar into a holiday, moved into hearts by laying the foundation of a state we can rely on and a glorious life of living freely for each of us. The national leader Heydar Aliyev, who gave breath to our freedom, independent life, and people, became history as a symbol of eternity at the same height as our tricolor flag. He gained immortality as the hero of the new, independent Azerbaijan. This is the sanctity we call eternal life!
Rəşad Mahmudov,
YAP İdarə Heyətinin üzvü,
Milli Məclisin deputatı