Leadership of a wise leader, farsighted politician, skillful statesman such as Heydar Aliyev in Azerbaijan, which enjoys ancient statehood traditions, regained independence in the 90s of the last century and set up a state on the basis of statehood traditions, is of special importance in the history of our statehood. National leader Heydar Aliyev gave huge contributions to the development of independent statehood traditions on the new level, rebirth of national dignity consciousness.

Arriving from Nakhchyvan in Baku in June 1993 at the people’s request, national leader Heydar Aliyev spent all his force not to lose our independence once again. Thus, a new era started in the protection, strengthening of our liberty and taking the worthy place of our state in the globe. His return to the power developed the concept of statehood reflecting our national ideology.

Ceasefire was reached with Armenia in May 1994 thanks to the wise policy of Heydar Aliyev. And on September 20 the same year a historical document called “Contract of Century” was signed with foreign petroleum companies on the exploration of Caspian oil-gas resources. It contributed to the economic development of Azerbaijan and implementation of more successful actions to ensure its security. Launch of Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil and Baku-Tbilisi-Erzurum gas pipelines transporting Caspian oil to the global market was another contribution to Azerbaijan’s state independence.

Directing oil revenues to other necessary spheres of economy, opening new workplaces through creating new production fields in nonoil sector, in short, strengthening the social security of population were set as priorities in the economic policy of the great leader. Governed by principle “A state with a strong economy is able to do everything” and attaching huge importance to the democratization in economic development, Heydar Aliyev considered an economic progress a motive force for development of other spheres. Decree of December 29, 2000 “On the establishment of the State Oil Fund of the Republic of Azerbaijan” served the implementation of these supreme goals. The key objective of the Fund is to purposefully use the funds coming from oil and gas production for interests of the present and future generations.

Every success achieved today in our republic, reforms carried out are the practical result of the statehood strategy started by great leader Heydar Aliyev. The national leader’s rich statehood experience is recognized, respected and highly valued today all over the world.

Naila Mammadova, 

"Azerbaijan Realities".