THE REPUBLIC THAT DEFENDED AZERBAIJAN

On 28 May 1918, the day the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic (ADR) was established, a new page was turned in our nation's history. Its significance is not only that it became the first republic in the history of the Muslim East, but that by its appearance alone, the state confirmed the right of the Azerbaijani people to freedom and independence.

The ADR did not spring from nowhere. It was preceded by the truly titanic and inspiring work of a great pleiad of local enlighteners - Mirza Fatali Axundov, Hasanbay Zardabi, Mirza Alakbar Sabir, Calil Mammadqulizada, Alibay Huseynzada and many others. They helped to awaken the national consciousness of their people and literally raised generations of Azerbaijanis for whom the purpose and meaning of life was to revive a free Azerbaijan, based on principles of democracy, justice and respect for human dignity.

The ADR witnessed a political and cultural leap of the Azerbaijani nation and led it along the path of freedom and light. The founding fathers of the Democratic Republic - Mammad-Amin Rasulzada, Fatali Xan Xoyski, Alimardan Topcubasov, Nasib bay Yusifbayli, Xalil bay Xasmammadov and others were able to develop the sovereign traditions of Azerbaijan, lay the foundations of a law-governed state and create the conditions for a civil society.

Despite the short period of its existence - only 23 months - the ADR left behind a number of great achievements in various fields - politics, economy, military construction and culture. Suffice to mention the declaration of the Azerbaijani language as the official language of the republic, the establishment of Baku State University, the formation of the national army and other security institutions and the emergence of an independent Azerbaijani political and economic line.

From the standpoint of today's reality, we can imagine what an incredible price the leaders of our First Republic paid for their decision to end the ADR, on condition that the life of Azerbaijan itself was preserved! In April 1920, they chose to accept a Bolshevik ultimatum to surrender power rather than plunge their nation into an abyss of resistance to an overwhelming foreign force; a resistance which was doomed and fraught with the spectre of mass casualties. Having sacrificed the ADR from a tactical perspective, its leadership, however, left the political stage, realizing that they had fulfilled a mission of strategic importance - the nation and statehood of Azerbaijan had been saved!

Proclaiming its independence in October 1991, the modern Azerbaijan Republic declared itself the successor of the ADR and adopted its flag, emblem and anthem. The strengthening of Azerbaijan's state independence is connected with the name of Heydar Aliyev. Under his leadership, the first constitution of independent Azerbaijan was adopted, confirming the country's development based on democratic values. Economic reforms were initiated and large-scale energy projects were implemented in the Caucasus-Caspian region.

Today, the Azerbaijan Republic plays a key role in regional geopolitics. But, while recalling the ADR, we cannot but note that many of the troubles faced by the First Republic are with us again, today. Thus, the scourge of Armenian aggression pursued Azerbaijan in the early 20th century and continues to impede its full development a century later.

Speaking at a ceremony to mark Republic Day, President Ilham Aliyev said: "... Our lands are under occupation. This occupation continues, and the unconstructive, hypocritical behaviour of Armenia in the negotiations shows that it is simply trying to gain time... But they cannot achieve anything by delaying, since time is not on their side... Of course, the Armenian-Azerbaijani Nagornyy Karabakh conflict will remain a priority of our policy. We have mobilized, and are mobilizing, all our efforts to resolve the issue fairly as soon as possible and in accordance with international norms, to liberate our land from the occupiers and restore the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan. We want to resolve the issue peacefully and we are increasing our diplomatic efforts. Nevertheless, it is no secret that we are building up our military strength. The military potential existing in Azerbaijan today allows us to carry out any task at any time and achieve success in a short period."

The President of Azerbaijan has repeatedly warned that settlement of the Karabakh conflict has entered a decisive phase. Azerbaijan has approached this truly crucial moment as a self-sufficient state which does not tolerate any form of pressure from external forces and which consistently defends its national interests in the international arena.

"We have been living as an independent country for about 20 years. Over the years, we have been able to prove to ourselves and to the world community that the Azerbaijani people can live independently. The Azerbaijani people can live well, relying on their own resources... Modern Azerbaijan is the result of the labour and talent of the Azerbaijani people. This country was built by us - the people of Azerbaijan. We, every citizen in our daily work, must do everything possible to strengthen this independence and make it eternal and irreversible, so that the Azerbaijani people live freely, independently and comfortably for decades and centuries," Ilham Aliyev stressed.

Experience shows that, as a successor to the ADR, modern Azerbaijan occupies an honourable position in the world community and in the family of civilized nations, having thus carried out the cherished aspirations of the founders of the ADR - the republic which, in the words of Heydar Aliyev, was "a model for a new state and society which united organically the democratic values of Europe and the traditional characteristics of oriental culture".