NEW AZERBAIJAN PARTY

Q: May 10 marks the 91st anniversary of the birth of national leader of the Azerbaijani people Heydar Aliyev. The national leader had done a lot for his country and people. We would like you to highlight this issue?

A: Generations change but the Heydar Aliyev phenomenon earned a status of eternity. Heydar Aliyev played a crucial role in Azerbaijan`s modern independence history. The Heydar Aliyev era means a new era and a new history for Azerbaijan.

The people do not forget Heydar Aliyev because he is associated with all positive changed that have taken place in their lives. Middle and old generations well remember Heydar Aliyev`s tireless work to improve the quality of their lives in the 70s-80s of the last century.

Q: How do you assess the role of the idea of Azerbaijanism in ensuring and protecting state independence of the country?

A: For many long years I had worked under national leader Heydar Aliyev. The idea of Azerbaijanism, the new national ideology, became people`s faith. The national leader always said that every Azerbaijani must think about Azerbaijan`s independence, territorial integrity, and future of people irrespective of where he is.

National leader of our people served interests of people, state, society and its members, worked for integrity of the people of Azerbaijan, Azerbaijani land and state and did every job to improve and expand democracy and independence. We must admit that realization of ideas of the Azerbaijani state is linked to national leader Heydar Aliyev. Heydar Aliyev’s ingenious personality owns an exclusive place in the history of Azerbaijani statehood. As a bright carrier of the ideology of Azerbaijanism, Heydar Aliyev, due to his wise policies, unwavering convictions and historical vision, succeeded in materializing the idea of national statehood, building a modern Azerbaijani state and realizing the independence dreams of our people.

Q: The national leader had always fulfilled his salvation mission when the country faced challenges and hardships. In early 1990s the people of Azerbaijan demanded national leader Heydar Aliyev to undertake a tough mission of saving the country from collapsing?

A: Azerbaijan faced crisis after regaining its independence. On one hand, then-government was unable to solve important problems. On the other hand, Armenia`s territorial claims, internal and foreign impact on undermining political stability, occupation of lands and other factors shattered domestic stability in the country and domestic discipline.

In the light of these events, every citizen of Azerbaijan who thought of his future saw the only way out of the crisis in Heydar Aliyev`s returning to power. If Heydar Aliyev did not come to power, there had not been Azerbaijan. Internal and foreign forces could divide the country. It was going on before the eyes of everybody. The role of people in his coming to power was great.  Heydar Aliyev risked his life to avert threat of collapse and led the country to the path of development.

Q: What can you say of the continuation of national leader Heydar Aliyev`s policy?

A: We are very happy that the national leader`s ideas are continued by our President Ilham Aliyev. As a result of the Head of State`s tireless work Azerbaijan became one of the most rapidly developing countries in the world. Time shows that there is no alternative to Heydar Aliyev policy, and that the people of Azerbaijan were right to support Ilham Aliyev.

As a result of multi-sided and balanced policy pursued under President Ilham Aliyev, Azerbaijan has become the most powerful country in the region. World powers and international organizations call Azerbaijan the guarantor of security and source of development in the South Caucasus.

Azerbaijan is one of the major energy suppliers of Europe. No project can be realized in the region without Azerbaijan`s involvement. And this is a strong signal of importance attached to Azerbaijan by world powers. Azerbaijan is regarded important partner by all countries. Azerbaijan is the major guarantor of peace and security in the South Caucasus region. So led by President Ilham Aliyev, Azerbaijan is cementing its position in the system of international relations.

Q: National leader Heydar Aliyev left rich legacy. What can you advice to our younger generation concerning the study of this legacy?

A: Yes, national leader Heydar Aliyev has a very rich legacy. He devoted all his life to his motherland and people. The 20^th century saw many leaders in the world. But I don’t know another leader who was so much loyal to his people. The national leader is the founder of Azerbaijan`s modern history. Our youth should know what difficulties and hardships Azerbaijan went through during the years of independence without Heydar Aliyev. Only pursuing the Heydar Aliyev path can ensure happiness, stability and prosperity for the people of Azerbaijan. the youth of Azerbaijan must study the national leader`s life and political career. They should be loyal to the ideas of the national leader.

Out greatest and most painful problem today is that we still have 20 percent of our lands under occupation. This happened when Heydar Aliyev was far from leadership of Azerbaijan. But after returning to power the national leader defined the policy of ensuring the liberation of our occupied territories. Surely we are powerful enough to return our lands through a military way. But President Ilham Aliyev is committee to a wise and farseeing policy of the national leader. And the major aim of this policy is to ensure peaceful settlement of the conflict so that our refugees and IDPs can return to their homelands.