NEW AZERBAIJAN PARTY

Q: Mr. Bahramov, 23 years ago the parliament of Azerbaijan adopted the Constitutional Act on the restoration of the state independence. The date has been marked as a public holiday since then. As a historian, how would you characterize the years when Azerbaijan restored its independence?

A: We all remember the first few months and years of our independence. Those were very difficult, tragic years. The government of the time did not have the strength to preserve the independence. At the same time, we lived in a time of war and military setbacks at the frontline certainly undermined our society a lot. But the new government which came to power in mid-1992 put our country in an even more deplorable situation. Due to its incompetence, lack of professionalism and treachery we were about to lose our independence.

The negative processes taking place in the country, crisis, economic recession and political instability dealt a major blow to our independence. Under such circumstances, the bright people of our society, intellectuals, people enjoying great respect rallied around great leader Heydar Aliyev and decided to establish the New Azerbaijan Party.

Deep political, economic and social crisis in the country aroused the concerns of the intellectuals and renowned persons - the leading groups of the nation. At that moment, the persons thinking of the country's destiny came forward with an initiative to set up a new party able to get the country out of the crisis and united around the nation's wise son Heydar Aliyev to the effect. At that time, an appeal signed by 91 Azerbaijani intellectuals was sent to Nakhchivan, to Heydar Aliyev. The document get into the modern history of Azerbaijan as the "appeal of 91 intellectuals", and in reality, it was the expression of people's wishes and will.

Azerbaijan restored its independence with the adoption of the Constitutional Act on State Independence in 1991. The constitution stipulates that Azerbaijan is an independent, unitary and secular state, with the power belonging to people and all citizens enjoying equal rights to elect and to be elected.

Q: What were main factors that paved the way for the elimination of the difficulties?

A: In 1991-1993 the then authorities failed to solve the problems faced by the country.

National leader Heydar Aliyev returned to Baku in 1993 when the country faced a threat of civil war. On June 15 he was elected the chairman of the Azerbaijan Supreme Council, and on July 24 in accordance with the decision of the Milli Majlis the national leader became acting President of the Republic of Azerbaijan. This marked a turning point in the history of Azerbaijan`s statehood.

Thanks to loyalty and tireless work of national leader Heydar Aliyev Azerbaijan managed to overcome all difficulties and embarked on a path of development. The people of Azerbaijan rightly regard Heydar Aliyev their national leader, the founding father of the modern independent Azerbaijani state.

A: What can you say of Azerbaijan`s development and achievements at the modern stage?

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.

Azerbaijan was elected a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, which was a critical factor boosting the country`s international image. Azerbaijan`s national flag is today raised in the United Nations, Council of Europe, OSCE and other influential international organizations. Azerbaijan`s only problem is the occupation of its lands by the Armenian armed forces. But we believe that the conflict will be solved and our lands will be liberated in the near future.