The individual’s role in history Heydar Aliyev’s political legacy

In his November speech at a meeting dedicated to the 80th anniversary of National Academy of Sciences of Azerbaijan (ANAS), the President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, described the first years of the country’s independence as very difficult and tragic. He emphasized that only the determination and will of the National Leader Heydar Aliyev saved the Azerbaijani people from great misfortunes.

There is no doubt that those who lived through that extremely difficult historical period clearly remember that Azerbaijani statehood was on the verge of disappearing, and civil war was becoming a reality.

Against this backdrop, in his inaugural speech on October 10, 1993, the National Leader assured that, fully aware of the degree of responsibility placed upon him during this most challenging time, he would strive, through all his work and efforts, to justify the great trust and hopes of the Azerbaijani people. He emphasized that, as he assumed such a high and responsible position, he would primarily rely on the intellect, wisdom, and strength of the nation.

In the same speech Heydar Aliyev defined the main tasks of his presidency as strengthening state independence, ensuring Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity and full sovereignty, and securing the return of both occupied lands and refugees to their native homes.

Specifying Azerbaijan’s commitment to resolving these issues by peaceful means, the National Leader declared the determination to achieve them “at any cost.” “The blood of the martyrs will not go unavenged,” Heydar Aliyev affirmed. “The Azerbaijani people will stand up, join hands, and create a modern army, which will protect Azerbaijan's state independence and territory like the apple of its eye.”

And the work carried out afterward, he noted, would create conditions for broader recognition of Azerbaijan, and our state would take its rightful place in the international community.

Let us repeat: all these words were spoken by Heydar Aliyev at a time when the fate of an independent Azerbaijan was at stake. He was so confident in the support of the people — in the real unity between the nation and the state — that he promised to fulfil every task set before him. Step by step, he began assembling the puzzle of the Azerbaijan we know today, and that the world recognises. Methodically. Gradually. Deliberately. Wisely. And — most importantly — for eternity.

The Azerbaijani people truly rose. A powerful army was created. And economic independence — as President Ilham Aliyev, the political successor of Heydar Aliyev, has repeatedly emphasized — enabled the country to achieve genuine political autonomy. The lands that had long been under occupation were liberated from the yoke of the invaders, who fled the battlefield in disgrace, and sovereignty was restored over the entire territory of Azerbaijan. Before our eyes, the Great Return to the Karabakh economic region and East Zangezur is being implemented — a direct result of strengthening the foundation laid by the National Leader and fulfilling his promise that Azerbaijan would take its rightful place in the world community.

These achievements are logically confirmed by President Ilham Aliyev’s remarks at the same meeting at ANAS. The head of state noted that Azerbaijan is dependent on no one; foreign currency reserves grow every year and have already exceeded 80 billion dollars; large-scale investment projects are being implemented; and military potential is being strengthened. He paid special attention to the development of renewable energy, as well as geological exploration in Karabakh and East Zangezur.

The president separately expressed confidence that our compatriots expelled from Armenia “will live there again,” reminding that in neighboring countries Azerbaijanis have lived for centuries on their native and historical lands as full-fledged and dignified citizens of those states. The return of Azerbaijanis to present-day Armenia, he emphasized, should not cause fear in either Armenian society or the Armenian state: “We must return to our historical lands — not in tanks, but in automobiles.”

All of this is undoubtedly the best monument to the National Leader — the true architect of modern Azerbaijan’s successes. It is no coincidence that the 41st President of the United States, George Bush, noted that “President Heydar Aliyev will always be remembered for the role he played in the development of Azerbaijan in the early years of independence.” It was thanks to his decisions that the economic foundation of the country was laid, above all in the energy sector. In addition, as George Bush emphasized, Heydar Aliyev’s efforts helped establish strong economic and diplomatic relations between the United States and Azerbaijan.

We speak specifically about the American dimension on the National Leader’s remembrance day also because, just recently, U.S. Representative Anna Paulina Luna introduced a bill aimed at the complete repeal of Section 907, which restricts the United States from providing military and financial assistance to Azerbaijan.

This step inevitably brings us back to 1997, when, during high-level U.S.–Azerbaijan negotiations in Washington, President Heydar Aliyev called Section 907 of the “Freedom Support Act,” adopted by the U.S. Congress in 1992, an “unjust decision” that created obstacles to the further development of relations between the two countries.

“The prompt repeal of this amendment is necessary,” Heydar Aliyev emphasized at the time, expressing confidence that the necessary steps would be taken to eliminate it. “Azerbaijan considers America its close friend and partner.”

In October 10, President Ilham Aliyev, in a letter to the current head of the White House, Donald Trump, also expressed confidence that, thanks to continuous dialogue and cooperation, the partnership between Baku and Washington will continue to contribute to strengthening peace, security, and prosperity — both in our countries and beyond. In October 2025, Donald Trump himself described Ilham Aliyev as an incredibly strong leader who performs his duties very well.

All of this is clear evidence of the genius of Heydar Aliyev — his strategic thinking, unique intellect, and exceptional analytical abilities, thanks to which the foundation of today’s Azerbaijan was laid. Ilham Aliyev, confidently continuing this course, is leading the country to new heights.

These facts once again demonstrate how relevant for the entire world remains the concept of the role of the individual in history.