English 
Azərbaycan 
Русский 
The extraordinary presidential elections to be held on February 7 will be a very important historical event in the life of our country. We are going to these elections as a victorious people and a victorious state. Our lands have been freed from occupation, and the sovereignty of our state in Karabakh has been fully ensured. It is the path of Great Leader Heydar Aliyev that brings us to victory. In the last twenty years, under the leadership of the Honorable President, Supreme Commander-in-Chief Ilham Aliyev, Azerbaijan has achieved great success.
I and millions of citizens like me have voted to continue this path, which is good and successful for our country and people. It happened in 2003, and in the following years when the presidential elections were held…
On February 7, 2023, we will reaffirm our rightful choice.
Of course, we have a solid basis for this choice: achieving a solution to the Karabakh problem, which ensures the unity and solidarity of the people, strengthens our state politically, economically, and militarily, and has become a heavy burden in the hearts and lives of every conscientious and patriotic citizen of Azerbaijan for nearly 30 years. We will vote for the Leader who gives us pride, a sense of moral superiority, and the joy of victory.
Our leader is Ilham Heydar Aliyev!
I call on every voter who loves Azerbaijan, works for its development, and wants our people to always live in the spirit of victory, to actively participate in the elections and vote for Mr. Ilham Aliyev!
Azer Asgarov
34 years have passed since the tragic events that took place in Azerbaijan on the night of January 19-20, 1990 – the tragedy that directed the historical destiny of our nation to a new direction at the end of the 20th century. Those events, which are called the tragedy of January 20 among the people and in the press, are not forgotten even after decades have passed. At the same time, we are proud of the heroism of our compatriots. They defended their civil dignity and the right of our country to be free and independent at the cost of their lives and blood. January 20, 1990, was the beginning of the road leading Azerbaijan to sovereignty.
The next anniversary of those sad events is being celebrated by our country under the leadership of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief, President Ilham Aliyev, in which our country fully restored its territorial integrity and sovereignty thanks to the bravery and bravery of the Azerbaijan Army.
Today, we must unite our efforts to strengthen political institutions and government structures that will withstand any challenges and risks that may arise in front of our country. Only with the unity and solidarity of our people can we build a prosperous future away from any external threats and disasters.
The memory of those who were martyred on January 20, 1990, will always live in our hearts, their heroism will always inspire us to work on construction, especially the work that is necessary for the development of the country today.
Azer Askerov
Dear friends!
Happy New Year and World Azerbaijani Solidarity Day! Let the joy, enthusiasm, and success of these days be inexhaustible!
2023 – a year full of historical events and challenges, persistent action, and victories comes to an end. The year 2023, which we have set off, will go down in the history of our country, first of all, as the year when the state sovereignty of Azerbaijan was completely restored as a result of the local anti-terrorist measures implemented with the use of high-precision weapons on September 19.
After the signing of the Declaration dated November 10, 2020, our Brave Army forced approximately 15,000 contingents of the Armenian armed forces remaining in Karabakh to surrender in less than 24 hours. Armenia was trying to block the international obligations and agreements it undertook by its actions that incite and tempt separatism. However, President Ilham Aliyev’s precise, perfect, and decisive policy based on Azerbaijan’s right to fully control its territory within the framework of state sovereignty and international law gave results. That is why 2023 is another year of success and victory for our country. Today, thousands of former IDPs live in Karabakh, their houses are being rapidly restored by our state, and this process is gaining momentum.
As a businessman, I am proud of the global projects implemented both in the liberated territories and in our country. This is proof of Azerbaijan’s strength and power. I am proud of the achievements and once again understand that the main issue is not only success but also the importance of the work done. I wish all of us successful work, inspiring ideas, and auspicious projects in the New Year.
As a judoka, I have long understood that qualities such as willpower, endurance, patience, and getting back up after a fall are crucial to success in life. May the coming year bring you only a high spirit of struggle, and the happiness of meeting your dreams and desires.
Friends, World Azerbaijani Solidarity Day reminds us of the importance of unity and supporting each other. Let’s be even closer in the new year, be even stronger, and be ready to overcome all difficulties together. Let our roads be full of bright events and new opportunities in 2024.
Happy New Year!
Azer Askerov
Today, in a year of special importance for us, we commemorate with great respect Heydar Aliyev, the Genius Personality, the National Leader of the Azerbaijani people, who became a symbol of wisdom, power, and political mastery.
We pay our respects to this person who was able to save the nation, bring it to progress, and contribute to its development, who turned Azerbaijan into a strong and respected state on the world scale with his wise and far-sighted policy.
Heydar Aliyev is the architect of the modern state of Azerbaijan, whose wise policy allowed the country to get out of the most difficult situations. As a leader, his decisions and reforms played a key role in the transformation of Azerbaijan into a secular and stable state. Under his leadership, important changes were made in the political, economic, and social spheres. Heydar Aliyev brought stability to the country, restored the national economy, revived the Armed Forces, and was able to strengthen our positions on the world scale. With his strategic views, he created the foundations of a strong and prosperous state. He reformed the economy, developed education, science, and culture, and as a result, made Azerbaijan one of the leaders of the region. Heydar Aliyev’s ability to unite the nation around common goals and principles was an invaluable contribution to the creation of a unified and strong state.
Today, each of us lives his legacy. We continue to build the future relying on the values founded by Heydar Aliyev – wisdom, hard work, patriotism. We are grateful to him for his invaluable services in the development of our country. Today we feel not only sadness but also gratitude for all that he has done for us.
His memory is eternal, his advice illuminates our future. Heydar Aliyev lives in our hearts and in all the work we do for future generations.
Azer Askerov
Dear compatriots!
Yesterday we celebrated Victory Day. Today is National Flag Day.
Honorable President, and Supreme Commander-in-Chief Mr. Ilham Aliyev yesterday received the military parade dedicated to the 3rd anniversary of our great Victory in the Patriotic War in Karabakh, in the city of Khankendi. The sound of proud, resolute steps of the brave soldiers of our Armed Forces spread from Khankendi to the whole world. At these moments, the hearts of us – every Azerbaijani – were beating with a sense of immense joy.
Long live our Victory! Long live the victorious Commander-in-Chief, the architect of our victories!
I wish God’s mercy to our martyrs who died for the freedom of our land and the restoration of our state sovereignty, healing to our veterans, and good health to our soldiers and officers standing guard of our Motherland and Flag!
The flag is an expression of the honor and dignity of our nation and state, as well as a sign of our martyrs, those who died without blinking an eye for the Motherland.
Today, our tricolor flag flies in all our territories. It is the third year that the National Flag Day is also celebrated in the lands of Azerbaijan that were freed from occupation.
Always fly high, Azerbaijan Flag!
Azer Askerov
My participation in the world championship among judo masters in Abu Dhabi as part of the national team of judo veterans of Azerbaijan will forever remain in my memory as one of the most important events in my sports life.
Any competition is, first of all, a serious test: a test of how to pass the preparatory stage, and how to demonstrate the will and ability to fight. I must admit that it was very important for me to perform successfully in the tournament held in 2023, which was declared the Year of Heydar Aliyev in our country due to the 100th anniversary of the Great Leader. The competition held in Abu Dhabi was the first serious tournament and test for me after the successful military operations to free our ancestral lands from occupation after the pandemic and the 2020 Patriotic War, local anti-terrorist measures that ended with the Azerbaijani flag flying over Khankendi again.
I really wanted to be a champion, to support the winning spirit that reigns in our society. I am very happy and proud that I managed to become the world champion. When I stood on the podium and the whole hall listened to the national anthem of Azerbaijan and looked at the country’s proudly raised flag, I could hardly stop myself from blushing. That’s why the gold medal of the world championship held in the capital of the United Arab Emirates will always be especially dear to me.
At a time when our national flag was raised in Khankendi and other cities of Karabakh, it was very important for me to raise our flag in honor of the victory of Azerbaijani sports. I am very glad that already on the first day of the championship, on the eve of Victory Day and National Flag Day, I was able to contribute to the winning spirit of our country.
The raising of the Azerbaijani flag and the playing of our national anthem in honor of the victory of the Azerbaijani judokas at the awarding ceremony made me feel extremely proud of my beloved country. Feeling infinite gratitude to the soldiers of the Azerbaijan Army who won Victory on the battlefields in Karabakh under the command of the President of Azerbaijan, the Supreme Commander-in-Chief Ilham Aliyev, we felt very happy as representatives of the victorious people and the victorious state.
Azer Askerov
“20 years ago, when I started to fulfill my duties as the President, I set myself the number one task to raise the Azerbaijani flag in all territories, all lands, cities,, and villages that were occupied at that time. Every day, every hour we went towards this holy goal. Every day we brought this holy moment closer, and I repeatedly said that each of us should bring this day closer with our own work.”
President Ilham Aliyev said this during his speech after the raising of the National flag of the Republic of Azerbaijan in Khankendi on October 15.
These words of Ilham Aliyev spread to my heart like a bright ray of sunshine, reminding me of October 15, 2003, when our respected leader was elected the President of Azerbaijan by popular vote!
Every citizen of Azerbaijan knows how many events of various importance have taken place in our lands according to their historical scale.
And each of us, I am sure, that the great importance of the presence of Ilham Aliyev, who dedicated 20 years of his life to the fulfillment of the promise he made to his people, to the restoration of the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan, to the liberation of the Karabakh land from occupation, and to ensuring the socio-economic development of the country that meets high international standards, we understand.
By raising the flag of Victory in Ilham Aliyev’s Khankend, he put a logical end to the centuries-old conflict history and the real truth triumphed. October 15, 2023, was forever engraved in the history of Azerbaijan and proved to the whole world that “Karabakh is Azerbaijan!”
We are proud of you, Mr. President!
Azer Askerov
Maxim Shevchenko needs no further introduction in Azerbaijan. I would say with certainty that he is known in almost every home… Maxim’s stubbornness and fearlessness in the issue of the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict, taking an objective position despite the numerous threats of the Armenians and their patrons, are admirable. His in-depth knowledge of the history of the conflict, as well as his exposure to Armenian frauds, made him an expert whose opinions attract attention not only in Azerbaijan but in different parts of the world.
That is why his arrival in Baku, his meeting with the public on the topic of “Heydar Jamal’s life path”, and the presentation of our compatriot’s books caused great interest. For two days, on October 6 and 7, the International Mugham Center in Baku witnessed a very remarkable event – a meeting with the well-known Russian political scientist and journalist Maksim Shevchenko.
The evening began with Maxim’s fascinating story about his meetings with Heydar Jamal, a prominent political and social figure, philosopher, theologian, poet, and author of several books. He shared his memories about this amazing Azerbaijani, and how he discovered Azerbaijan through this talented person. Shevchenko talked about Jamal’s view of many regional problems, including his predictions regarding the development of the Karabakh conflict, which he considers his teacher. It should be noted that Heydar Jamal announced his predictions long before the beginning of the liberation war in September 2020, and what this Russian thinker said came true.
Shevchenko’s skilfully prepared monologue, which was repeatedly interrupted by applause, immediately aroused great interest and charmed the participants of the evening. The questions asked by the audience were varied and numerous. Personally, I was impressed by the depth of knowledge and youth of those who came to meet him. Their questions reflected not only their interest in geopolitical events but also their deep understanding of various philosophical currents.
Maksim Shevchenko created an interesting and productive dialogue environment and answered every question with high professionalism. We were all immersed in a world of ideas and analysis during the nearly four-hour meeting that flew by like an instant.
Thank you for the interesting evening and your position, Maxim!
Azer Askerov
After the brilliant victories of Azerbaijan’s junior and young judokas in the world and European championships, our senior national team also pleased us with their success. Our judokas won 3 gold, 1 silver, and 1 bronze medal at the judo “Grand Slam” tournament held at the National Gymnastics Arena in Baku on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of National Leader Heydar Aliyev, and became the first team in this prestigious competition. This victory is an expression of infinite respect for the spirit of the Great Leader.
Gold of Yashar Najafov (-66 kg), Hidayat Heydarov (-73 kg) and Zelim Tchkayev (-81 kg), who also trained at “Judo Club 2012”, silver of Leyla Aliyeva (-48 kg), “Judo Club 2012” member Zelim Kotsoyev (-100 kg) won a bronze medal, gave a great sense of pride to the Azerbaijani judo family.
The tournament took place in the conditions of a very intense sports competition. The strongest judokas from 61 countries came to Baku. The tournament was held at the highest level by the relevant state institutions of Azerbaijan and the Azerbaijan Judo Federation.
The fact that the first days of the competition coincided with the time when our heroic Army carried out anti-terrorist measures in Karabakh, which ended with victory, naturally brought a high spirit of fighting and victory to the members of our national team.
The modern state of Azerbaijan is winning great victories under the wise and decisive leadership of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief, Honorable President Ilham Aliyev. The success of sports in our country, including judo, is the result of the attention and care shown by the head of state to this field.
I congratulate every member of the judo family, athletes, and coaching staff on the occasion of their victory in the “Grand Slam” tournament, and I wish them success in the next Olympic year!
Azer Askerov
