Heydar Aliyev (1923 – 2003)
Also spelled as Heidar Aliev, Geidar Aliev, Haydar Aliyev, Geydar Aliyev, was the president of Azerbaijan for the New Azerbaijan Party from June 1993 to October 2003, when his son Ilham Aliyev succeeded him.
I am pride of that I am chosen the honorable doctor of the universities of many countries having the rich history. But I am more pride of that I am a doctor of Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic’s University named after Yusif Mammadaliyev.
Nakhchivan’s autonomy has been the historical event. It has been the result of a big struggle in the difficult period.
In Nakhchivan the people were getting a very high education. There were not many schools in Nakhchivan but the levels of the lessons taught and the degree of pupils’ grasp of the materials were very high.
It is naturally I am a person worshipping my Country. I have even not forgotten the names of my teachers who taught here 60 years ago.
I bend my head in front of morally ethical, merited and honorable people.
I can neither forget the place where I was born, nor the three years of my works together with You in Nakhchivan, while we worked on resolution of Nakhchivan’s problems.
Nakhchivanese arose and showed an exemplary heroism for protection of their lands.
Nakhchivan’s attainment of autonomous status and its survival during 75 years are great events.
For us Gars treaty is an indispensable document for future provision of Nakhchivan’s wholeness, security, statehood and autonomous status.
Heydar Aliyev’s wise words about Nakhchivan.
I would like you, and as well as the Nakhchivanese residing outside Nakhchivan, carry the Nakhchivanese name in honor.
I can tell that, I regard the three years when I lived in Nakhchivan and worked with the people of Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic to be the most honorable and fruitful period in my life.
The geographical situation of Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic which is the constituent part of the Azerbaijan Republic is so that, protection the lands of our country and its borders from this province is highly important.
Nakhchivan is not the same as it was in 1991-92-93. Nakhchivan is entirely another now. Nakhchivanese have earned this right. Nakhchivanese earned this right by their faith, tolerance, honor, bravery and moral.
Nakhchivan is one of the ancient places of Azerbaijan; it is the part of Azerbaijan rich history and it is a land of Azerbaijan with 3500 years of history. This history is full with rich events. All these make a testimony to the fact that to what extend Nakhchivan is, was, and will be valuable for Azerbaijan.
Now Nakhchivan is in its developmental track.
Nakhchivan is my native land.
Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic’s Status is established in the Constitution, it is determined forever.
Nakhchivan people here have shown me a great respect, care, love and in the most difficult moments they have been helpful for me, they supported me, they have always been with me. That is why we worked, struggled and won.
You have proved that you are faithful to your land, people, and nation and to your holy Azerbaijan and you also witnessed the fact that I am also devoted to the Azerbaijan people, to Azerbaijan land and as well as to my native place Nakhchivan.