President of Azerbaijan marks his 47th birthday

Ilham Heydar oglu Aliyev was born in December 24 of 1961 in Baku.

He attended the secondary school in Baku from 1967 till 1977.

In 1977 he entered the Moscow State University of International Relations (MSUIR).

In 1982 after graduation  Mr. Aliyev had continued his education as the postgraduate student in MSUIR.

In 1985 he finalized his research works and received PhD in history.

During the years of 1985-1990 he h lectured at the Moscow State University of International Relations.

From 1991 to 1994 he led a group of private industrial-commercial enterprises.

In 1994 - 2003 he was the vise-president, and later the first vise-president of the State Oil Company of the Republic of Azerbaijan (SOCAR). He has been actively involved in the implementation of Heydar Aliyev’s oil strategy.

He is author of many research works on geopolitical aspects of oil strategy of sovereign Azerbaijan. He is the doctor of political sciences.

In 1995 and 2000 he was twice elected to the Milli Majlis (Parliament) of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

In 2003 he stopped his activity as the Member of Parliament due to his appointment to the post of Prime minister of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

Since 1997 Mr. Ilham Aliyev is the President of the National Olympic Committee of Azerbaijan. For his great contribution to the development of sports and Olympic movement Mr. Aliyev was awarded the highest order of International Olympic Committee and “Grand Cordon” Order of Merit of International Military Sport Council.

In political career, he has been elected deputy chairman of the New Azerbaijan Party in 1999, first deputy chairman in 2001 and chairman of the Party in 2005.

From 2001 to 2003 he was the head of the Azerbaijani Parliamentary delegation to Parliamentary Assembly of Council of Europe (PACE).

In January 2003 he was elected as Deputy-Chairman of Parliamentary Assembly of Council of Europe and member of PACE bureau.

In August 4 2003, following the approval of the Milli Majlis (Parliament) he was appointed as the Prime minister of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

In October 15, 2003 he was elected as the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan. More than 76% of voters supported Ilham Aliyev’s candidacy during the elections. He assumed his post in 31 October 2003.

In April of 2004 Mr. Aliyev was awarded a medal and diploma of honorable member of PACE for his active participation in PACE events and commitment to European values.

Ilham Aliyev has been elected to the second term of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan by gaining 88% of votes of electorate in the elections held on October 15, 2008. He has started to execute the Office of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan on October 24, 2008.

Mr. Aliyev is fluent in English, Russian, French and Turkish.

Mr. Aliyev is married and has three children.

Today.Az congratulates Ilham Aliyev and wishes him sound health, successes and long life!