Azerbaijan marks Day of Solidarity

Today, on December 31, Azerbaijanis worldwide celebrate the Day of Solidarity and the New Year. Greetings have been extended by President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva, as well as ambassadors from a number of countries.

December 31st is one of the most pivotal dates in Azerbaijan's modern history. On this day, Azerbaijanis around the world celebrate Solidarity Day, dedicated to the events of 1989, when residents of the Nakhchivan ASSR reunited with their compatriots in Iran, and the first World Congress of Azerbaijanis was held in Istanbul.

President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has shared a post on his social media accounts on the occasion of 31 December - the Day of Solidarity of World Azerbaijanis and the New Year holiday.

First Vice-President of Azerbaijan Mehriban Aliyeva has also shared a post on her official social media page on the occasion of of the Day of Solidarity of World Azerbaijanis and the New Year.

The Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Baku sent congratulations.

"The Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in the Republic of Azerbaijan extends its best wishes for a happy, prosperous, and peaceful New Year and congratulates the people of Azerbaijan on the Day of Solidarity of Azerbaijanis Worldwide," the letter reads.

Israel’s Ambassador to Azerbaijan Ronen Kraus also sent a congratulatory message on the occasion of the Solidarity Day of World Azerbaijanis.

“I sincerely congratulate the people of Azerbaijan on the occasion of the Solidarity Day of World Azerbaijanis. I wish you unity, prosperity, and peace at all times,” the ambassador said.

The Solidarity Day has been officially celebrated since 1991. The date was approved at a meeting of the Supreme Assembly of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic chaired by Azerbaijani National Leader Heydar Aliyev.