Parliament Speaker highlights “leading role” of late Azerbaijani President Heydar Aliyev at anniversary event

Georgian Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili on Tuesday highlighted the “leading role” of Heydar Aliyev, the late President of Azerbaijan, in the formation of the modern country, in his comments in a special session of the Azerbaijani Parliament dedicated to the 100th birthday of the former leader of the state.

Papuashvili told Azerbaijani lawmakers Aliyev had been a “national leader who played a leading role in the formation of modern Azerbaijan” and “strengthened the national spirit of the Azerbaijani people, promoted a national awakening and laid a solid foundation for national statehood” following the “difficult initial years” of the country’s independence in the 1990s. 

The visiting Georgian official noted the late President had transformed the country into a “strong, stable and successful” state by implementing “efficient” policies in various directions, resulting in winning the “most valuable thing in the world - the heart of his own nation”.

President Heydar Aliyev was a great supporter of peace and stability in the Caucasus region. His important role in strengthening the ties between Georgia and Azerbaijan turned the historical friendship between our countries into a strong strategic partnership that our Government especially values”, he said. 

Papuashvili cited projects for facilitating energy transit routes through the region as an “excellent example” of Aliyev’s “grand strategic vision”. 

President Aliyev and his contemporary Georgian and Turkish leaders made the impossible possible. Few could have imagined the importance of such far-sighted projects that gradually restored the old trade routes and which today represent a key link between Europe and Asia”, he continued. 

“He left a legacy that has stood the test of time and will serve as a role model for many generations to come. Based on this rich legacy, it is important to promote further development of Azerbaijan and peace and stability in the Caucasus region”, Papuashvili concluded.