The Person of 2013 Award of the National Hero Chingiz Mustafayev Foundation and ANS Group of Companies was presented to President Ilham Aliyev last week. This event was an appreciation of the purposeful action of the head of state. Named after the national hero having sacrificed himself for Azerbaijan, the Award is presented to persons directing their skills and efforts to the prosperity and development of Azerbaijan, dedicating all their activities to the state and nation. Established in 2001 by the National Hero Chingiz Mustafayev Foundation and ANS Group of Companies, the Person of the Year Award is granted as a rule to the persons distinguished in patriotism and services before the nation.

2013 was one of the complicated and successful years for the Azerbaijani statehood. In the beginning of the year Azerbaijan joined the list of space states and this event forecasted the year would be fruitful and unforgettable. This year was characterized with successful economic development, stability, social progress and prosperity, strengthening of Azerbaijan’s international influence. Creation of “ASAN xidmət”, an embodiment of social welfare, care to citizens, in Azerbaijan for the first time in the world was the confirmation of multilateral political reality. And October the 9th was the manifestation of national consent, unity of Azerbaijan, triumph of civic belief and confidence.

Our country, which was admitted to the UN 22 years ago, completed 2013 as a president of Security Council of this influential organization. Thus, heading the most supreme institution where the fortune of the world is discussed, Azerbaijan played the role of a regional center where the international problems are solved. Azerbaijan summed up the year with a promising, an unforgettable project of international significance. Proving to be an important branch of Europe’s energy security, Azerbaijan signed the contract of the 21st century known as Shah Deniz-2. 

All these statistics are just a part of the President’s rational political and economic successes based on social factor and national trust. With his policy the President managed to justify both international and domestic confidence, personified the national unity. It once again proves the principle of serving the people with dignity is the key factor belief in head of state is sourced from.