BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 27. Independence Day of
Azerbaijan – May 28 – is a turning point in the history of our
nation’s statehood, a symbol of the struggle for freedom, political
analyst Azer Garayev told Trend.
“This day is not only a holiday but also a living expression of
the national spirit, statehood ideals, and determination for
freedom.
In May 1918, the Azerbaijan People’s Republic was declared. At
that time, the first democratic republic was established in the
East. This was an event that left invaluable marks on the future
fate of the Azerbaijani people both politically and ideologically.
Although the Republic lasted only a short time—23 months—the spirit
it created and those ideals remain a sacred heritage among our
people to this day.
During this period, a national army was formed, women were
granted voting rights, Azerbaijani was accepted as the state
language, and the first steps were taken to gain international
recognition for Azerbaijan. All of these were rare and courageous
decisions for that time. The Azerbaijani people openly declared for
the first time their desire to take their own fate into their
hands,” he said.
According to him, after the Soviets came to power, Azerbaijan
lost its independence, but the people’s yearning for freedom never
went up in smoke.
“During these 70 years, the Azerbaijani people tried to preserve
their national identity, language, and history. The aspiration for
independence was passed down from generation to generation and
lived on as a strong idea that would determine the country’s future
destiny. In 1991, with the collapse of the USSR, Azerbaijan
restored its independence, and this was not merely a decision on
paper.
It was the result of many years of struggle, heroism, and the
great aspirations of the people. However, the early years were far
from easy. The newly established state faced severe socio-economic
problems. Armenia’s aggression against Azerbaijan, occupation of
our lands, and internal political crises hindered the country’s
development. During this period, the state’s difficult situation
raised questions about the sustainability of independence. However,
all these difficulties did not break the will of the people. On the
contrary, with the return of Heydar Aliyev to power in 1993,
Azerbaijan stepped into a new phase. His strong leadership restored
stability in the country, strengthened state institutions, and
introduced the country on the international stage. Above all, he
created a strong foundation for sustainable independence,” Garayev
also said.
The analyst noted that in subsequent years, under the leadership
of President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, the country fully untapped
its potential.
“Thanks to economic reforms and the successful implementation of
oil and gas strategy, Azerbaijan became the strongest state in the
region. Azerbaijan’s political stability, economic power, and
international prestige have continuously increased. Moreover, the
country succeeded in effectively defending its national interests
on the global stage.
The historic victory in the 2020 Second Karabakh War was a
logical continuation of these steps. This victory was not only
about the liberation of territories but also a manifestation of the
unity, will, and commitment of the people to statehood. Now
Azerbaijan’s independence is not only on paper but a real, strong
reality enriched with victories. While reconstruction and
development continue at full speed in the liberated areas, overall
our country is making great strides in both economic and social
spheres,” he mentioned.
Garayev emphasized that the meaning of May 28 is not only a
remembrance of the past but also a guarantee of the future.
“Today, Azerbaijan is an independent, strong, and dynamically
developing state. The current and future prospects of our state are
very high, and this is mainly related to the people’s love for
independence and their efforts to preserve it. Every year on May
28, the Azerbaijani people commemorate not only a historical event
but also their long and honorable struggle for freedom,
independence, and statehood. Today, feelings of national unity and
solidarity and confidence in the state are at their highest level.
Azerbaijan’s independence is the pride and responsibility of every
citizen.
Now Azerbaijan is advancing with more confident steps on its
path, becoming not only a key player on the world stage but also an
important center for regional stability and cooperation. The values
underlying our independence, national will, and unity give us
confidence that we’ll face future challenges bravely and move
forward to progress. May 28 is not only a remembrance of our past
but also a bright path to our future. Free Azerbaijan is both our
pride and our greatest aspiration and most valuable treasure,” the
analyst added.
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