Today Azerbaijan celebrates one of the main holidays of the country - the Republic Day, or the day of restoration of Azerbaijan's state independence. This holiday has a long history. Until 1918, Azerbaijan was a part of the Russian Empire. After the October Revolution and the collapse of empire, country's upper class announced the formation of an independent Azerbaijan Democratic Republic, which became the first democratic republic in the East. It had its flag, emblem and anthem, parliamentary form of governance was established. On April 28th, 1920, the 11th Red Army entered Baku, and then the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic ceased to exist.
The Republic Day became a national holiday in 1990.
"The economic development of Azerbaijan over the past ten years was very fast. Now we live in a new time. Economic, financial crisis deepens in the world, oil prices are at low level, our revenues decreased, and naturally, expenditures also decrease. But at the same time, by diversifying the economy, by carrying out reforms, we eliminate these difficulties," President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev noted at the official reception, held on the occasion of the Republic Day.
Azerbaijani President said that 2016 should become the year of stabilization. "We carry out social policy. We have enough opportunities. Our financial situation is good, stable, we have accumulated currency reserves. In the beggining of this year, it was believed that revenues, in other words reserves of our Petroleum Fund, will decrease, but they are growing. Why? Because reforms, policy of diversification are carried out, financial discipline is improved. Resources that were used irrationally are now being used rationally, there is transparency in the entire financial system. But there is still a lot to do," the head of state said.
Economic development is the basis of Azerbaijan's independence, military power and independent foreign policy, he noted. "If we will economically depend on someone, we won't be able to pursue an independent policy. So we will direct all efforts on this today. I repeatedly met with experts, there are new ideas, new proposals. We analyze all of this and choose the best option," he added.
He also said that the country's economy should develop sustainably. "It is necessary to eliminate the dependence on oil factor. I think that in order to achieve this goal, we will need a few years, and we will achieve it. This year we made very important decisions related to both the growth of industrial capacity and the development of agriculture, specific steps were taken, which will also affect statistical indicators," he noted.
"All these achievements became possible only in the period of independence. The significance of independence is obvious today. Azerbaijan has never been as strong as it is now. We are masters of our own destiny. We are an independent country. We are a free nation. We took our rightful place in the world. We will continue to follow the path of independence and development," the President of Azerbaijan said.
Russian President Vladimir Putin wrote a congratulatory letter to the head of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev on 28 May - Republic Day. "Please accept my sincere congratulations on the national holiday - the Republic Day. Azerbaijan's achievements in socio-economic, scientific-technical and other spheres are well known. Your country rightfully enjoys a high reputation on the world stage," the letter says.
"Russian-Azerbaijani relations, based on long-standing traditions of friendship and good neighborly relations, are at a high level. The substantial political dialogue is established and mutually beneficial cooperation in various fields is expanding. I am confident that together we will ensure further expansion of the whole complex of bilateral relations, as well as partnership in solving urgent problems of regional and international agenda. It is in the fundamental interests of the fraternal peoples of our countries," Putin wrote.
"I sincerely wish you, Ilham Geydarovich, a good health, prosperity and success, and peace and prosperity to all of your compatriots," Azerbaijani President's website reported.
Congratulations to the president and people of Azerbaijan on the Republic Day were also sent by the Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the President of Georgia Giorgi Margvelashvili, the President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko, the UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon and many other officials.
