An official reception was held at Buta Palace in connection with the 28^th May – The Day of Republic, May 25. President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and Mrs. Mehriban Aliyeva attended the official reception together with members of the family.

The head of our state delivered a speech at the official reception.

Congratulating our people on the Day of Republic, President Ilham Aliyev characterised the creation of the Democratic Republic of Azerbaijan as a historic event. The head of our state  said the State and people of Azerbaijan have great respect towards the memory of founding fathers of the Democratic Republic of Azerbaijan. Underlining that independence of the Democratic Republic was too short, the head of our state emphasized that great works had been done during these two years and essential state structures and attributes created.

Noting that the soviet period started after the downfall of the democratic republic, President Ilham Aliyev said that period also was successful for Azerbaijan despite all hardships and ideological frame.

Saying first years of the independence regained by Azerbaijan in 1991 passed with difficulties and anarchy, and chaos, powerlessness and tyranny dominating in that period was a great danger to our country, President Ilham Aliyev brought to attention that after the return of national leader Heydar Aliyev in 1993 to political power, all unpleasant conditions were lifted, stability was created in the republic, a period of development started, foundation of our statehood formed and general development strategy established.

Emphasizing that our country had passed a great and successful path during the years from 1993 to 2003, the head of our state said our people have always remembered the memory of national leader Heydar Aliyev with great respect.

Underlining that Azerbaijan has strengthened its position in the world further, its regional influence has increased, its economy developed, the head of our state said our republic has been developing fast in other areas too. Saying that the economy of Azerbaijan  makes up 80 percent of the whole economy of the Southern Caucasian economy, President Ilham Aliyev assessed election of our republic, which last year celebrated 20^th anniversary of its independence, to the Security Council of the UN, having won confidence of 155countries, as an obvious example of our correct foreign policy. It was mentioned that the election of our country to the UN Security Council shows the positive attitude of the world community towards us, and currently Azerbaijan is chairing the Security Council.

Saying the primary goal of the country is solution of the Armenian-Azerbaijan, Daghlyg Garabagh conflict, the President expressed his regret with regard to absence of any result in this direction. Noting the presence of sufficient number of judgments and decisions by influential international organizations in connection with  settlement of the conflict within the principal of territorial integrity of Azerbaijan, the head of our state said a very fundamental and fair judgment was delivered a few days ago at a NATO summit held in Chicago.

Saying today Azerbaijan is a leading country in a world scale by economic growth rate, President Ilham Aliyev mentioned that Azerbaijan’s credit ratings were highly assessed by international credit agencies. He noted that diversification of the country’s economy is ensured, dependence on oil and gas reduced, and development of the private sector enjoys great support. Currently 80 percent of our economy is formed in the private sector.

Saying Azerbaijan has been trying to build relations with its neighbours based on international legal principles and trust, and on conditions of not interfering with each-others affairs, the head of our state mentioned that our country had recently joined the nonalignment movement. He said this organization has great respect and trust for Azerbaijan, and using this position we will gain more friends.

Underlining that our country’s social and economic development and building of  legal and democratic state will successfully be continued further, President Ilham Aliyev congratulated the people of Azerbaijan on the Day of Republic.

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Then there was a ceremony of awarding with State Prizes in the sphere of science of the Republic of Azerbaijan for 2012. Historian-scholars Yagub Mammadov, Suleyman Mammadov, Nazim Mustafayev, Govhar Mammadova and others were awarded State Prizes for series of works related to Garabagh, Nakhchyvan and Iravan Khanates’ history. Director of the A.Bakikhanov Institute of History under the National Academy of Science of Azerbaijan Yagub Mammadov thanked the head of the state  for attention and care shown towards them on behalf of the scientific society of our country.

The official reception was continued with a concert program.