Azerbaijan marks Solidarity Day of World Azerbaijanis

Tens of millions of Azerbaijanis living throughout the world are celebrating the Day of Solidarity of World Azerbaijanis on December 31. This festival plays an important role in building relations between Azerbaijanis living in different countries and in the process of establishing unity and solidarity between them. The Day of Solidarity of World Azerbaijanis has become a kind of necessity and spiritual need for Azerbaijanis across the globe. This day is celebrated in more than 70 countries. 

The foundations of the Day of Solidarity of World Azerbaijanis were laid during the destruction of the Nakhichevan border between the USSR and Iran in late December 1989. This day was first announced on December 16, 1991 by the Chairman of the Supreme Majlis of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, Heydar Aliyev. He raised the issue before the Supreme Council of Azerbaijan to declare that date a holiday at state level.

In the same year the Azerbaijani President Ayaz Mutalibov announced December 31st the Day of Solidarity of World Azerbaijanis with the guidance of the National Council. But the first time this holiday was officially celebrated at state level was in 1992, in accordance with the President of Azerbaijan Abulfaz Elchibey's decree (who was also the initiator of the destruction of the Soviet-Iranian border).

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev congratulated Azerbaijanis on the occasion of Solidarity Day.

"I greet you on the eve of December 31 – the Day of Solidarity of World Azerbaijanis, awaken in each of us sincere feelings, and convey my best wishes," Trend cited him as saying.

Ilham Aliyev paid tribute to the national leader Heydar Aliyev, who conducted important measures to protect the rights of Azerbaijani people living abroad through the development of Diaspora activities. "Thanks to the deliberate policy, today Diaspora organizations contribute to the promotion of the truth about Azerbaijan, protection of national interests and deepen the mutually beneficial relations of the Republic with other countries," he stressed.

"This year, Azerbaijan hosted a great sports event – the First European Games. This event, held with the participation of athletes of 50 countries, was organized at a high level and it has created a positive impression in the international community about the potential of our state, our centuries-long history and rich culture, the traditions of tolerance and hospitality of our people," he added, stressing that despite the escalation of tensions in the world, political stability and the atmosphere of confidence between the government and the people have further strengthened in Azerbaijan. "The parliamentary elections held in November also became a clear manifestation of the optimistic mood in society," the head of the state explained.

"Unfortunately, the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict still remains unresolved due to the aggressive policy of Armenia's non-constructive position. Today, Azerbaijan has a strong economy and a powerful army, which is ready to liberate our land at any moment. But we try to avoid bloodshed and escalation of tensions in the region, we are striving to resolve the conflict within the framework of international law. I believe that in the future we should join efforts to continue the consistent and purposeful work for the liberation of the occupied territories. The solidarity and joint actions to make a significant contribution to the protection of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Azerbaijan should become our main goal," he noted.

"I cordially congratulate you on the Day of Solidarity of World Azerbaijanis, wish you happiness, prosperity and success," Ilham Aliyev concluded.

''2015 was a year of new achievements and victories for Azerbaijan,'' Azerbaijan’s First Lady, the president of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, Mehriban Aliyeva, said in her speech at the traditional festive event for children organized by the foundation, which was also attended by the vice-president of the Foundation, Leyla Aliyeva.

"Dear friends, I want to once again congratulate you on the coming New Year and the Day of Solidarity of World Azerbaijanis. I am confident that 2016 will bring many successes and new achievements to Azerbaijan. The wisdom and unity of the Azerbaijani people will allow us to overcome any difficulties," Mehriban Aliyeva said.

A festive event dedicated to the Day of Solidarity of World Azerbaijanis was also held in Moscow. It was organized by the Azerbaijani Youth Organization of Russia (AMOR) on the initiative of Vice-President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation Leyla Aliyeva. The event was also attended by the State Duma deputy, head of the Russian-Azerbaijani inter-parliamentary friendship group, Dmitry Savelyev, who gave a high evaluation of the Azerbaijani Youth Organization of Russia, which contributes to the friendship and cooperation between Russia and Azerbaijan.

The national cultural association of friends of Azerbaijanis 'Nakhchivan' held an event dedicated to the Day of Solidarity of World Azerbaijanis in St. Petersburg with the support of the Consulate General of Azerbaijan in St. Petersburg. 

A solemn reception on the occasion of the Day of Solidarity of World Azerbaijanis was held in Kiev by the organization of the Assembly of Nationalities in Ukraine and the Joint Congress of Azerbaijanis of Ukraine.

Speaking at the opening of the reception, the chairman of the ATO and the head of the OKAU, Rovshan Tagiyev, Chargé d'Affaires of Azerbaijan to Ukraine, Nazim Aliyev, and a spokesperson for the State Committee on Diaspora Affairs, Ruslan Guliyev, spoke about the significance of the celebration and stressed the merits of Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev in making the Republic of Azerbaijan one of the most successful countries.