In memoriam: How Azerbaijan was built on the shoulders of one great leader?

By AzerNews

May 10 marks the 92nd anniversary of the founder of modern Azerbaijan, national leader Heydar Aliyev.

The role of historical figures, prominent politicians and wise heads of state in the fate of peoples and nations is undeniable. The Azerbaijani people have a great person and leader in the person of Heydar Aliyev to be proud of.

The national leader has done unparalleled work for his nation during his time in power in the Soviet period and as president of an independent Azerbaijan.

Heydar Aliyev, who devoted his life to seeing Azerbaijan achieved prosperity and well-being, survived the chaos and uncertainty which racked Azerbaijan during its first years of independence.

By strengthening Azerbaijan's independence Heydar Aliyev ensured and preserved national unity and tirelessly worked to erect strong democratic institutions, while promoting economic growth.

In 10 years, from 1993 to 2003, Azerbaijan traveled a great deal in terms of positive change, developments and prosperity growth, all under the guise of the national leader.

The process of nation building was successfully conducted and led to excellent results in Azerbaijan.

Heydar Aliyev, who assumed leadership of the country during its most difficult times at the request of his nation, gave his people great confidence as he laid the foundation of a strong economy.

His farsighted policy placed Azerbaijan among the fastest developing countries in the world and introduced a small energy-rich country in the cradle of the Caspian Sea to the world in a short period of time. Azerbaijan' success is the fruitful result of the president's future-oriented vision and a well thought out state policy.

Thanks to him today, Azerbaijan sits among great nations in the global arena. The Land of Fire is now acting a bridge in between East and West.

Azerbaijan’s growing influence in the world and its steady growing economy are the results of the successful implementation of the national leader's directives.

Heydar Alirzaoglu Aliyev was born on May 10, 1923 in Nakhchivan City - Azerbaijan. In 1939, after graduating from the Nakhchivan Pedagogical School he studied at the Architecture Department of the Azerbaijan Industry Institute (presently Azerbaijan State Oil Academy). The incipient war interrupted his education.

From 1941, Heydar Aliyev headed the department at the People's Commissariat of Internal Affairs of the Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic of Nakhchivan and in 1944 was sent to work at the state security bodies.

After his election at the Plenum of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Azerbaijan in July 1969 as First Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Azerbaijan, Heydar Aliyev became the head of the republic. In December 1982, Heydar Aliyev was elected a member of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union, and appointed to the post of First Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of the USSR, and became one of the leaders of the USSR. For twenty years, Heydar Aliyev was the Deputy of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR and for five years he stood as Deputy Chairman of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR.

In October 1987, Heydar Aliyev, as a sign of protest against the policy pursued by the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union and Secretary General Mikhail Gorbachev, resigned from his post.

He returned to Azerbaijan in July 1990. Heydar Aliyev lived in Baku, then in Nakhchivan, and in the same year was elected Deputy to the Supreme Soviet of Azerbaijan. In 1991-1993, he held the post of Chairman of the Supreme Assembly of the Autonomous Republic of Nakhchivan, Deputy Chairman of the Supreme Soviet of the Republic of Azerbaijan. In 1992, at the constituent congress of the New Azerbaijan Party in Nakhchivan, Heydar Aliyev was elected Chairman of the Party.

In May-June 1993, when the country found itself on the verge of a precipice, with fears that a civil war would ravage the country, the people called on Heydar Aliyev to save the nation, which he did.

The then leaders of Azerbaijan were obliged to officially invite Heydar Aliyev to Baku. On June 15, 1993, Heydar Aliyev was elected Chairman of the Supreme Soviet of Azerbaijan, and on July 24 - on a resolution of the Milli Mejlis, he commenced to fulfill his role as president of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

On October 3, 1993, following a general election, Heydar Aliyev was elected president of Azerbaijan. On October 11, 1998, he was re-elected president of Azerbaijan. Heydar Aliyev, once again gave his consent to be nominated as a presidential candidate on October 15, 2003 presidential elections, only to relinquish after ill health forced him to slowdown.

On December 12 the national leader of the Azerbaijani people, President Heydar Aliyev passed away at a hospital in Cleveland, Ohio, in the U.S.

Heydar Aliyev was a unique leader, who gained the love and respect of millions of people throughout his most brilliant career.

Heydar Aliyev, a man of vision, his ideas and legacy will forever live in the memory of Azerbaijan.

Azerbaijan is the country that it is today because of him.