By Waheed Hussain

The day of 15 June, 1993 is marked as National Salvation Day of Azerbaijan and a turning point in the  history of independent Azerbaijan. There is no doubt that the Azerbaijan’s contemporary history is completely linked with the name of its National Leader Heydar Aliyev – a political leader who dedicated his whole life to his Nation in most dreadful times.

On that very day, Heydar Aliyev, one of the most renowned politician of the former USSR, returned to capital city Baku to lead Azerbaijan which was on the brink of civil war.

This historical return, in a proper sense of the word was the salvation of Azerbaijan’s statehood and people. Though 1992-1993 coincided with the first years of Azerbaijan’s independence, it entered to the country’s modern history as a period of chaos, arbitrariness and adventurist experiments.

The Azerbaijani nation, being in the deadlock situation laid their all hopes on Heydar Aliyev. People rallied all over the country insistently demanding Heydar Aliyev to take office over Azerbaijan. And the  Leader heard these appeals. Having returned to political power , Heydar Aliyev undertook a very hard and responsible mission of rebuilding Azerbaijan, saving it from all threats and wrote a glorious page in the Azerbaijani history such as the National Salvation Day. Having said: “Azerbaijan proved and showed to the whole world that a democratic, law-based, secular state was being formed in Azerbaijan, the country was on the track of democracy. I once again declare that it’s our strategic course and we’ll keep to the course consistently and will never take a wrong turning” Mr. Aliyev defined the strategy of his country’s development.

The two presidential tenures of 5 years each starting from 1993 were remarkable for state building, establishment of national ideological principles, integration into the international community and rapprochement with European structures.

It was due to the National Leader’s services, Azerbaijan became one of the leader countries in the region. The realization of Mr. Heydar Aliyev’s ideas of bright future of Azerbaijan were continued by Mr. Ilham Aliyev. President I. Aliyev, won the presidential elections of 2003 and 2008 with overwhelming majority. People supported him unanimously and voted to the follower of Heydar Aliyev’s political course. Overviewing the presidential tenure of Heydar Aliyev President I. Aliyevnoted that “…the years 1993-2003 had been key years for the country. Work done in 10 years time equals to the one done in a century. It was these years when Azerbaijan’s international positions strengthened, the country managed to successfully integrate to the world and became known as a reliable partner”.

The present Azerbaijan indeed can’t be compared with Azerbaijan of early 90-th. The country is  developing economically and strengthening its position in international arena. The Head of the State Mr. Ilham Aliyev brought confidence to people that the political and socio-political achievements would be successive. Today, the policy pursed by President of Azerbaijan has led to an increase in number of country’s friends and allies. Regional initiatives serve for the country’s getting mightier and for development of the regional cooperation.

Azerbaijan is proud of being a leading country in the region for its economic development. International financial establishments also testify for Azerbaijan’s achievements, the country’s rating is increasing rapidly. Gigantic infrastructural projects implemented in Azerbaijan, large-scale reconstruction works also open favorable opportunities in terms of demonstrating the country’s economic might.

The foundation named after Heydar Aliyev lead by First Lady of Azerbaijan, Goodwill Ambassador of UNESCO and ISESCO MehribanAliyeva undertakes important actions to strengthen the country even more. The Heydar Aliyev Foundation implemented number of projects outside of Azerbaijan, including Pakistan. It is remarkable , that due to the service to Pakistan Mrs. MehribanAliyeva was rewarded the Hila-e-Pakistan order by President of Pakistan Mr. Mamnoon Hussain during his recent official visit to Azerbaijan.

It is also pertinent to mention that Heydar Aliyev was also a founder of Azerbaijan-Pakistan relations. His memorable visit to Pakistan in 1996, agreements signed during the visit not only set  the legislative base for these relations but  opened the new avenues for the expanding of ties between the two nations as well.

Thus, Azerbaijan keeps on successfully walking on the path that started on June 15th, 1993. This date is linked with the name of a man who always relied on his people and supported them and will remain as the date of Azerbaijan’s struggle and salvation of the statehood for the future to come.