Azernews.Az

By Amina Nazarli

June 15 is one of the most remarkable days in the history of Azerbaijan’s statehood. The day celebrates the National Salvation Day -- the beginning of a new and invaluable stage in the history of independent Azerbaijan.

For Azerbaijanis, this is one of the country’s most memorable days, marking the historical return of the national leader Heydar Aliyev from the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic to capital Baku in 1993.

Having restored its independence two years earlier - in 1991, Azerbaijan faced a frighteningly real prospect of losing its own statehood in summer 1993. The Armenian aggression against Azerbaijan, that began in 1988, grew into a more aggressive attitude by February 1992 -- genocide of Azerbaijanis in Khojaly, occupation of Shusha, capture of Lachin and soon after Kalbajar by Armenia.

Chaos was spreading in all spheres of social life, and the situation was hard for the armed forces.

In such troubled times, the country was in need of a strong-willed leader who could solve the existing crisis and prevent potential crises in the future. And this person was the prominent political leader Heydar Aliyev.

People invite Heydar Aliyev to Baku

In June 1993, when the people of Azerbaijan believed that the national statehood was on the edge of fall, and when there began the hardest days, it insistently demanded change of the existing power, and since that time relied its destiny on Heydar Aliyev.

Desperate and helpless, the people of Azerbaijan invited their national leader from the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic to Baku on June 15, 1993 and elected him Chairman of the Azerbaijani Supreme Soviet.

In 1993, people in the government of Azerbaijan made a decision to invite Heydar Aliyev to power. At the time between 1991 and 1993, he held the post of Chairman of the Supreme Assembly of the Autonomous Republic of Nakhchyvan, Deputy Chairman of the Supreme Soviet of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

Heydar Aliyev, who could not stand indifferent towards misfortune of his nation, accepted the invitation and returned to big politics in Azerbaijan. The national leader in a very short time led Azerbaijan to the path of development and prosperity. He confirmed with each step his words said on October 10, 1993 at an inauguration ceremony.

“The Azerbaijani people is going through the most difficult, tragic period of its history. I am deeply aware of the degree of responsibility that is entrusted to me in this difficult time, and I want to assure you that I will try to justify all my activity, my entire life, the highest trust and the hopes of the people,” he said.

The people met Heydar Aliyev's return with hope and joy, and this day entered the history of independent Azerbaijan as the Day of National Salvation. Since July 24, 1993, Heydar Aliyev began to exercise the powers of the President of Azerbaijan. Though the nationwide voting on October 3, 1993, Heydar Aliyev was elected as the President of Azerbaijan.

Building a modern and strong state

With the return of Heydar Aliyev to the leadership of Azerbaijan in 1993, a turning point occurred in the socio-political, social, economic, scientific and cultural life of the country, as well as in international relations, the process of building an independent state began in accordance with scientific principles and international norms.

Having gone through many ordeals, Azerbaijan is today a flourishing country involved in many major global projects and with an independent foreign and interior policy.

All these became possible because in a particularly difficult period, Azerbaijan's respected son, Heydar Aliyev came to help it restore order and justice and take steps in the path of prosperity.

In such troubled times, the country was in need of a strong-willed leader who could solve the existing crisis and prevent potential crises in the future. Heydar Aliyev was the very prominent political leader to undertake this historical responsibility.

Heydar Aliyev took urgent measures to form the National Army, to create regular Armed Forces capable of guarding the national interests of Azerbaijan, to protect the national lands. Thanks to his efforts all diplomatic and political means, it was possible to achieve a ceasefire in May 1994, which was of a vital importance to the young independent country.

The signing of the first oil contract, called the "Contract of the Century", in September 1994, and its implementation, using the relative stability established in Azerbaijan and the growing trust and interest in the country on the international arena are clear evidence of the implementation of the oil strategy developed by Heydar Aliyev, which is the concept of economic development of Azerbaijan.

After securing order, Heydar Aliyev chose to set Azerbaijan on a democratic path. A new constitution was adopted in 1995. New progressive laws were passed, bringing drastic changes to the judiciary.

Under the leadership of the great leader, the foreign policy of the Azerbaijani state, its relations with the world's leading states and international organizations began to develop at a course based on national interests and a far-sighted political perspective.

The rich activity of Heydar Aliyev, as a political and state figure, who devoted his entire conscious life to the people, leaving a deep imprint in the history of the Azerbaijani people, has become a true school of public administration. Many generations of the Azerbaijani people will use this school and the rich political heritage of Heydar Aliyev for the sake of the development of the country and the well-being of its people.