The Minister of Defense of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Colonel-General Zakir Hasanov, congratulated the personnel of the Azerbaijan Army on the occasion of June 26 - Armed Forces Day.

Axar.az reports that according to the information provided by the Ministry's press service, the application states:

"Mr. officers, fellow ensigns, midshipmen, cadets, sergeants, soldiers, sailors and civil servants!

I sincerely congratulate you on the occasion of June 26 - Armed Forces Day, and wish each of you success in your holy and honorable service for the sake of increasing the defense power of our country.

The state of Azerbaijan, whose independence is eternal and irrevocable, has become the guarantor of the establishment and protection of stable peace and stability in the region. The first steps of building a national army were taken during the period of the first democratic republic of the East - the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic.

Our country, which regained its independence at the end of the 20th century, entered a new stage in the construction of the army.

The Separate Azerbaijan Corps created in 1918 formed the legal base of the Army of the Republic, and our National Leader announced June 26 as the day of creation of the modern Azerbaijan Armed Forces based on the principle of succession.

Today, which is considered a glorious page of our history, the 106th anniversary of which is being celebrated with great pride, the establishment of a unified command in the Azerbaijan Army and the declaration of the regular army building process as a priority issue is the result of the bold steps taken in this direction by the National Leader of our people Heydar Aliyev.

Thanks to the attention and care of the President of our State Ilham Aliyev and the First Vice-President Mehriban Aliyeva, the continuation of the work done in the direction of improving the service and living conditions, financial well-being, housing issues and solving social concerns of military personnel has led to an increase in interest in military service.

In order to ensure the implementation of the Decree of the Honorable President, Supreme Commander-in-Chief dated December 28, 2011 "On measures to strengthen the social protection of military personnel of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Azerbaijan", the provision of permanent apartments to military personnel who have served 20 calendar years and more without fault, great enthusiasm among the personnel created.

The victorious Commander-in-Chief Ilham Aliyev confirmed the Great Victory, which is the embodiment of the unity of the People, the State, and the Army, by receiving a military parade on Victory Square in Khankendi and lighting the Nowruz bonfire.

The Azerbaijani Army, which stands vigilant in defense of the Motherland in our territories freed from occupation, makes worthy contributions to the implementation of reconstruction works at the highest level and to the Great Return.

I am sure that you will always be loyal to the Constitution of the Republic of Azerbaijan, the Military Order and Regulations, you will improve your combat and moral-psychological training, and you will constantly increase your efforts and skills in order to achieve new successes in your service.

I express my gratitude to each and every one of you for your loyalty in military time and sacrifice in your difficult and honorable service.

Family members of our martyrs and our fighters who lost their health, war veterans are always in the spotlight of our state.

As always, on the eve of the Armed Forces Day, we honor the memory of the sons of the Motherland, who were martyred for the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of our republic, with deep respect and reverence.

I congratulate the parents and families of our martyred servicemen, our comrades-in-arms who lost their health for the sake of the Motherland, dear veterans on the occasion of the holiday, and convey my best wishes to them.

Once again, I heartily congratulate each of you on the occasion of June 26 - Armed Forces Day, I wish you good health, long life, and success in your honorable service to the Motherland and the independent state of Azerbaijan."