Today marks the 23rd anniversary of Ilham Aliyev’s first election as President of Azerbaijan in 2003.

Axar.az reports that on October 1 of that year, National Leader Heydar Aliyev addressed the Azerbaijani people, saying:

“I address you, my compatriots, and call on you to support Ilham Aliyev, the candidate for president in the upcoming presidential election, my political successor and First Deputy Chairman of the New Azerbaijan Party. He is a highly intelligent, pragmatic individual with an excellent understanding of modern world politics and economics, as well as an energetic and enterprising personality. I assure you that both Ilham Aliyev and the New Azerbaijan Party will continue to unite the most worthy sons and daughters of our people around them and accomplish much for the development of the Azerbaijani state and the prosperity of our people. I believe that, with your help and support, Ilham Aliyev will be able to complete the crucial tasks, plans and work that I was unable to finish. I trust him as much as I trust myself and have great hopes for his future.”

The people supported the call of the National Leader. As a result, in the presidential election held on October 15, 2003, more than 76 percent of voters cast their ballots for Ilham Aliyev, electing him President of Azerbaijan and ushering in a new stage in the country’s development.

During his 23 years in office, President Ilham Aliyev has fully fulfilled the promises he made to the people. Over this period, Azerbaijan has achieved rapid development in all areas, and people’s well-being has further improved.

Azerbaijan’s political and economic capabilities have expanded, a modern army has been established, and the country’s position on the international stage has been strengthened. Today, all major international projects implemented in the region are carried out with Azerbaijan’s participation and with its national interests taken into account.

Most importantly, under President Ilham Aliyev’s leadership, Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity has been fully restored, fulfilling the sacred aspiration of the National Leader to liberate Azerbaijani lands. During the 44-day Patriotic War, President of Azerbaijan and Supreme Commander-in-Chief Ilham Aliyev regularly addressed the nation. These addresses galvanized the Azerbaijani people, united them as one, and had a profound impact on the course and outcome of the war. Each address paved the way for further victories.

Today, under President Ilham Aliyev’s leadership, Azerbaijan’s economy continues to develop successfully, reconstruction and development work in Karabakh is proceeding at full speed, and social programs are being implemented. All this provides grounds to believe that Azerbaijan will soon turn Karabakh into a paradise and that former internally displaced persons forced to leave their ancestral homes will return to their homes permanently and safely.