The holding of the VIII Congress of the New Azerbaijan Party (NAP) at the Heydar Aliyev Center on October 2nd was written into history as an important and significant event in the context of new geopolitical realities.
As emphasized by the Party Chairman, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Mr. Ilham Aliyev, in his historic speech at the congress, the next congress is an important event in the socio-political life of our country, and the activities of the NAP, the decisions adopted, and the political line it pursues are of great importance not only for our country but also for the region.
The difference of the VIII Congress of the NAP from previous ones is that it is being held for the first time in a new socio-political and geopolitical situation, after Azerbaijan has fully restored its territorial integrity and sovereignty. Over the period since the VII Congress, Azerbaijan has created new realities in the region, and by signing the dates of November 8 and September 20, the symbols of Victory, it has restored its territorial integrity and sovereignty, thereby shaping a completely new political environment in the region.
At the foundation of all these successes and realities lies the wise political and economic course pursued since the establishment of the NAP and its coming to power. As stated by Mr. President, the starting point of Azerbaijan’s successes is linked to the founding congress of the New Azerbaijan Party. At that time, progressive people of our society, who cared about the fate of the state and the nation, united around the Great Leader Heydar Aliyev and founded the New Azerbaijan Party at the congress held in Nakhchivan in November 1992, and this historic event paved the way for Azerbaijan’s future victories.
Of course, if Heydar Aliyev had been in Azerbaijan at that time, he would never have allowed the games played against our country, including the rise of separatist tendencies in Karabakh and the occupation of our lands. In a period of severe disasters left by the AXC-Musavat duo, a difficult and challenging time, only a decisive, courageous, and great personality like Heydar Aliyev could build our state.
The bright path of our independent state began when the Azerbaijani people showed wisdom by linking their path to salvation only to Heydar Aliyev and elected him President of Azerbaijan in October 1993. The Great Leader rebuilt a country where one million out of eight million people were IDPs, created the solid foundations of statehood, and established a model of sustainable development. These achievements were made by relying on the strength of the NAP, the deep faith of the people, and national solidarity.
Thanks to the excellent leadership of the National Leader, Azerbaijan emerged from international isolation between 1993 and 2003. Esteemed international organizations, including the UN General Assembly, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, and the OSCE, adopted important resolutions and decisions in favor of our country. The establishment of economic relations with foreign countries, the implementation of multifaceted reforms, the attraction of foreign investors to our country, and the signing of the “Contract of the Century” played a fundamental role in the successful realization of Azerbaijan’s development strategy.
The achievements of the NAP in power for 10 years entered a new phase after 2003. While the Great Leader’s political line remained a strategic course, President Ilham Aliyev brought incredible successes in the development of Azerbaijan. All set goals were achieved, and the highest task, territorial integrity and state sovereignty, was restored. These demonstrate the power of the government that has earned the trust of the people to fulfill its honorable mission.
Today, Azerbaijan is a country worthy of great respect on the international stage, a valuable member of the international community. The peace document sealed in the USA with Armenia after the glorious victory further solidified our state’s leading position in the world. Along with the initialing of the peace agreement, Azerbaijan, which has created the strongest army in the region, is simultaneously further strengthening its military power. This is due to several reasons:
– The second factor is the processes happening in the world, the increase in wars.
New hotbeds of war and conflict are emerging along almost the entire perimeter of our borders. There is no international mechanism to stop wars. Therefore, Azerbaijan must be prepared to respond to any military provocation. From this point of view, attention to the military sector is constantly increasing. The allocation of nearly 9 billion manats for military and security issues in the 2027 budget serves the purposes listed above.
Today, when we look at the world map, it is impossible to find many countries living in stability, peace, and tranquility like Azerbaijan. This is because, thanks to the unwavering will of our esteemed President, our country is an address of stability, there are no internal physical or ideological risks, and all risks are formed outside our borders. Undoubtedly, as our state grows stronger and pursues a more active policy based on national interests, the pressure against it also increases. However, these pressures are constantly neutralized, and no blow goes unanswered.
In the modern world, ideological security is as important as physical security. In an environment where ideological risks know no borders, and the internet and artificial intelligence are widespread, greater preparedness and resilience are required against ideological provocations. In this regard, along with the state’s technological capabilities, an important task also falls on our people, especially the activists of the NAP.
Unlike some countries, the NAP, as the ruling party of the country, never exaggerates its political power and role by distorting history, because everything happens before the eyes of the people and is evaluated by the people.
Azerbaijan has now become a very serious geopolitical and security factor. It is very difficult to find another country that builds such multifaceted international relations, is in contact with all poles, and defends its interests. This rare experience can serve as an example for other countries. As a result, high-ranking representatives of countries hostile to each other meet in Azerbaijan within the framework of international events and try to resolve their problems in Baku. This is because Azerbaijan is a reliable partner, it does not join any camp; on the contrary, it masterfully organizes the gathering of those from other poles and camps.
The best example of this is the creation of a model of solidarity and trust that unites continents within the framework of the presidency of the Non-Aligned Movement, the world’s second-largest organization after the UN. Also, by being accepted as a full member of the Central Asian Cooperation Organization in November of this year, Azerbaijan established new political and economic communications, uniting Central Asia and the South Caucasus. Or, by being elected a member of the “D-8” organization, which has been operating for 30 years, Azerbaijan has formed a political example that no Muslim country has achieved.
Our country has been making great efforts to strengthen Islamic solidarity and playing a unifying role by establishing very close ties with the Organization of Islamic Cooperation for many years. Our state, which has exchanged strategic partnership agreements with many EU member countries, confirms the trust and confidence it holds in the system of political relations by signing a strategic partnership declaration with the world superpowers, China and the USA.
Azerbaijan, as one of the rare countries, sets an example in the production and export of all types of energy resources on a global scale, plays a role in the supply of several countries, contributes to their energy security, and demonstrates loyalty to the agreements it signs. This confirms that Azerbaijan’s word is as valuable as its signature, and its word and deed are one.
This is also the highest indicator of honesty and transparency towards its partners. Azerbaijan never plays a double game, never shows duplicity or hypocrisy towards any country. Although it has faced such relationships many times and still encounters them today. However, it can never be like them, because the state and people of Azerbaijan are dignified and respect themselves.
Thus, the VIII Congress of the New Azerbaijan Party remained a significant event that presented the political power of a strong state, its firm internal stability, the sustainability of its military, economic, and ideological resources, its leading position and influence in the modern international relations system, and its initiative in global processes.
The speech and recommendations of the Chairman of the New Azerbaijan Party, President Ilham Aliyev, at the Congress determined the main directions of activity in accordance with the new political agenda. One of the main recommendations is to ensure the active participation of party activists and all members in the fulfillment of the tasks set in the new historical realities and to ensure their activity in ideological work.
Ramid Namazov
Member of Parliament