On the anniversary of the Independence Day in Azerbaijan
Shaheen Abdel -Lev
The Azerbaijani people in their memory on the twenty -eighth of each year perpetuate the anniversary of the Independence Day. This year, 107 years have passed since the Democratic Republic of Azerbaijan and the establishment of the first modern parliamentary republic in the Islamic world. It is the first republic that took place for twenty -three months, between May 28, 1918 and April 28, 1920. The independence of the Democratic Republic of Azerbaijan was recognized at the Paris Peace Conference on January 11, 1920; Thus, the first parliament for Azerbaijan was established, and the basis of the parliamentary Republic was established.
The democratic road began to develop after the National Council of Azerbaijan on November 19, 1918; It was recognized that Parliament should consist of representatives of all people residing within the borders of the state. The goal of the parliament was to preserve the independence of Azerbaijan, its regional safety, its national and political rights, the creation of relations between the government of Azerbaijan and the adjacent governments, the establishment of the legal state system, the implementation of extensive social reforms, and the establishment of a strong army capable of defending the country.
During the era of that republic, women in Azerbaijan obtained the right to vote, and with this step even the most advanced countries in the world in that era. The representation of all political entities, nationalities and ethnicities in the National Council represented by twenty -seat is an eyewitness to Azerbaijan’s commitment to international principles and covenants of partisan pluralism and multi -nationalist parliamentary system.
Despite the 23 -month short life, the Democratic Republic of Azerbaijan laid the foundations of the independent state with the determination of the path of development in the future, and after the collapse of the Soviet Union, Azerbaijan regained its independence and declared itself as a heir to the Democratic Republic of Azerbaijan in 1991 and regained the features of science, slogan and national anthem.
It is worth noting that after the arrival of leader Haider Aliyev to power and became the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan during the period between 1993-2003, he founded the Azerbaijani oil strategy and in 1994 the agreement of the “century contract” for oil exploration, extraction and export to international markets was signed. Azerbaijan has identified its position in the system of international relations, and began to rely on the new strategy in the field of foreign policy, and in a short period of time a democratic system based on political pluralism, and has taken wide steps towards applying the principles of the free market economy to its economic system, and that in 1995 the constitution of the Republic of Azerbaijan was approved by holding a public referendum, and the country was held in the country democratic parliamentary elections.
The Republic of Azerbaijan has recently turned into a link between the West, the East, the North and the South, especially after the construction of the Baku -Tbilisi -Jihan Pipeline, and Baku – Tbilisi – Arzorum for natural gas, which transport Azerbaijani oil and gas to the global markets. The Baku -Tbilisi -KiCS line opened for the railway. The project is a first episode in linking the continents of the ancient world in Asia and Europe together. Two “Tab” and “Tanab” projects, who transport the Azerbaijani natural gas, have also opened to Europe, and contribute to energy security in the European continent.
During the past years, Azerbaijan has been able to achieve great achievements in various areas of life, and enabled the strengthening of its political system and the development of its national economy. One of the biggest successes of Azerbaijan that it achieved in recent years is its victory in the national war in the battles of the second Qarabagh War, which lasted 44 days (2020 AD). In 2023, which lasted for less than one day (23 hours and 43 minutes), and the rule of the state of Azerbaijan and its territorial integrity was completed.
We believe that ensuring the comprehensive peace agreement between Azerbaijan and Armenia, which is taking place accurately so far, and in a way towards achieving the results is the only way to establish peace, security, prosperity and permanent stability in the region.
On the level of international politics, Azerbaijan has become a reliable and active partner in the international community, as it was characterized by its balanced policy and its efforts in supporting peace and regional stability. Baku’s victory in hosting the twenty -ninth session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29) is an affirmation of Azerbaijan’s international status and its growing role in global issues, especially in the field of climate work. The Climate Conference concluded with an agreement calling for developed countries to provide $ 300 billion annually to developing countries by 2035 to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions in order to protect lives and livelihoods from aggravating effects of climate change.
We also do not forget that Azerbaijan, as historically, is part of the Islamic world, and a partner in the progressive heritage and spiritual values of Islamic civilization, does not spare no effort to enhance the joint work of the members of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation to support global dialogue and cooperation for the rule of tolerance, peace and the best understanding between countries, cultures and civilizations, and eliminating the elements of “Islam phobia”.
In light of the ongoing changes in the region, the bonds of historical relations with the Arab -Islamic world, which naturally have priority within the framework of the foreign policy of Azerbaijan, open new opportunities for us to enhance the mechanisms of strong partnership with the countries of the region, and with the sisterly Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in particular.
Saudi -Azerbaijani relations are in constant development; This is satisfied and reassured between the two countries, and enhances joint work to develop this relationship day after day. It should be noted here to the Kingdom’s brotherly position and constant support for the just issue of the Azerbaijan Republic within the framework of the United Nations Organization, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, and the rest of the international organizations.
In the context of bilateral relations, the Foreign Minister of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Mr. Jion Bayramov, recently visited the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on February 26, 2025, and he met with His Highness Prince Faisal bin Farhan.
In April 2025, the eighth meeting of the joint government committee between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Republic of Azerbaijan was held in Riyadh, headed by the Saudi Minister of Investment, Eng. Khaled Al -Falih, and Deputy Prime Minister of Azerbaijani, Mr. Samir Sharifov. The meeting witnessed the presence of a number of officials from both sides, during which ways of enhancing bilateral cooperation in the fields of economics, trade, energy, water resources, agriculture, transportation, and logistics services were attended. A number of memoranda of understanding were also signed, in addition to holding the sixth meeting of the Saudi Azerbaijani Business Council, which formed a platform to enhance communication and partnerships between the business community in the two countries.
The Saudi Aqua Power Company is one of the most prominent investors in the renewable energy sector in Azerbaijan, as it signed several agreements with the Azerbaijani Ministry of Energy and the National Oil Company (Sukar) to implement land and sea wind projects with a total capacity of 2.5 GW, in addition to developing a system for storing energy with batteries.
The year 2024 witnessed the signing of a joint executive program between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Azerbaijan, on the sidelines of the Conference of the Parties in the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29) in Baku, to enhance cooperation in the areas of developing and transferring renewable energy, in the presence of the Saudi Energy Minister, Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman, and the President of Azerbaijan, His Excellency President Ilham Aliyev.
The celebration of the passage of one hundred and seven years of establishing the first democratic republic in the Islamic East means that Azerbaijan was a pioneer in providing the rich experience that brought together the legacy of Islamic civilization on the one hand, and modernization on the other hand.
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– The Ambassador of the Republic of Azerbaijan in Riyadh
