World leaders congratulate President Aliyev on Republic Day [UPDATE]

By Azernews

The leaders of numerous countries have congratulated Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev on the Republic Day, May 28.

May 28, 1918, marks the establishment of the ADR, the first independent republic and democratic state on the East. Although it existed for only 23 months, it brought about great progress in foreign policy, and introduced Azerbaijan to the international community.

To appreciate the historical significance of this event not only for Azerbaijan, but also for the entire Islamic world, it is enough to recall that at that time there were only seven independent Muslim states in the world - Turkey, Persia, Afghanistan, Emirate of Bukhara, and three small monarchies of Inner Arabia.

Salman Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King of Saudi Arabia wished in his message lasting development and prosperity to the brotherly government and people of Azerbaijan.

“On behalf of the people and government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and on my own behalf, I extend to Your Excellency my warmest congratulations on the occasion of the national holiday of your country – Republic Day.

I wish you robust health and happiness, and the brotherly government and people of Azerbaijan lasting development and prosperity. Please accept, Your Excellency, the assurances of my highest consideration,” the message reads.

President of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan Mamnoon Hussain in his message stressed that Pakistan highly values its relations with Azerbaijan, which are rooted in our common faith.

“The strong cooperation between our two countries in multifaceted areas including political, economic, culture, energy, connectivity and defense is indeed a reflection of the strong bonds between the governments and people of our two countries. I sincerely hope that bilateral relations will continue to strengthen further to the mutual benefit of the two brotherly countries,” the message reads.

President of India Pranab Mukherjee, in turn, hailed the Indian-Azerbaijani relations.

“It is indeed a matter of satisfaction that the long-standing friendly relations between India and Azerbaijan have been strengthened and deepened in a wide range of areas. I am confident that our joint efforts to further expand our bilateral cooperation will pave the way for our closer partnership in new areas of our common interest,” the message reads.

Earlier, President of the Federal Republic of Germany Frank-Walter Steinmeier , Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia Peter Cosgrove, King of Sweden Carl Gustaf, King of Norway Harald V, King of the Netherlands Willem-Alexander, King of the Belgians Philippe, Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland Elizabeth II,  Muhammad bin Nayef bin Abdul-Aziz Al Saud, Crown Prince, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Interior of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Muhammad bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Deputy Crown Prince, Second Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister of Saudi Arabia also sent a congratulatory letter to President Ilham Aliyev.