Azerbaijani president receives National Day congratulations from European leaders

President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev received formal messages of congratulations from several European heads of state on the occasion of Azerbaijan’s National Day, reflecting ongoing diplomatic engagement and support for regional peace initiatives.

In a letter, King Charles III of the United Kingdom sent his warmest congratulations to President Aliyev and the people of Azerbaijan, expressing delight on behalf of himself and his wife, Caliber.Az reports per local media.

“I am so pleased that our countries share such strong ties, and I look forward to strengthening further our friendship,” he said.

“It is my hope and strong ambition that our nations can collaborate to make a positive impact on climate change and environmental issues, which affect us all globally.”

Meanwhile, Austria’s Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen extended his greetings and highlighted recent diplomatic progress.

“On the occasion of the national holiday of the Republic of Azerbaijan, I am pleased to extend to you my most sincere congratulations,” he said.

He welcomed the steps taken toward a peace agreement with Armenia.

“The recent agreement between Azerbaijan and Armenia on a peace treaty is a source of hope, and we welcome this promising development. We encourage the swift signing of the agreement with Armenia, thereby bringing this conflict to a definitive end for the mutual benefit of both nations' peoples.”

Sweden’s King Carl XVI Gustaf also joined in the diplomatic expressions of goodwill.

“On the occasion of the Independence Day of the Republic of Azerbaijan, I wish to convey to Your Excellency my sincere congratulations and my best wishes for your health and happiness and for the prosperity of the people of Azerbaijan.”

To recall, Azerbaijan celebrates its National Day on May 28, marking the establishment of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic (ADR) in 1918—the first secular and democratic republic in the Muslim world. Founded by the Azerbaijani National Council under the leadership of Mahammad Amin Rasulzada, the ADR was notable for granting equal voting rights to all citizens, including women, making Azerbaijan the first Muslim-majority nation to do so. 

Despite its brief existence of 23 months, the ADR laid the foundation for modern Azerbaijani statehood. In 2021, the Azerbaijani Parliament officially designated May 28 as Independence Day, replacing the previous Republic Day, while October 18 was renamed the Day of Restoration of State Independence.

By Aghakazim Guliyev