The path of creation and progress From economy to Great Victory

October 15, 2003, is forever etched in the history of the independent Republic of Azerbaijan in golden letters. On this day, the Azerbaijani people, casting their votes for Ilham Aliyev, took a step that would shape the country’s development for years and decades to come.

A tremendous responsibility fell on President Ilham Aliyev’s shoulders – to lead a country that had endured a challenging period of nation-building, war, economic crises, and internal political upheavals. He was tasked not only with continuing the course set by his father, the national leader Heydar Aliyev, but also with strengthening it and bringing Azerbaijan to a fundamentally new level of development.

In the early years of his presidency, Ilham Aliyev faced several major challenges simultaneously. It was necessary not only to improve the socio-economic situation and raise the standard of living for the population, but also to develop a long-term strategy to counter both Armenia and the global Armenian diaspora, which, armed with financial and political resources, had for decades sought to impose a distorted narrative of the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict on the international community.

In addition, Ilham Aliyev had to confront internal sources of destabilisation. During that period, radical opposition forces, generously funded by Western foundations and organisations, carried out the directives of their sponsors and handlers aimed at undermining the political situation in the country. Many of these opposition figures, even years later during the Patriotic War of Autumn 2020, openly expressed doubt about the Azerbaijani army’s ability to liberate the occupied territories at the time. Yet, in the end, time set everything straight.

It was precisely Ilham Aliyev’s strategy, based on the principle of “Strong Azerbaijan – strong army, strong economy, strong diplomacy,” that enabled our country to achieve a historic victory and reclaim its ancestral lands. Under his leadership, the Azerbaijani state has transformed into a powerful regional center of influence, whose position is respected both in the East and the West. The foundation of this success was laid through the implementation of major infrastructure and energy projects, including the Baku–Tbilisi–Ceyhan and Baku–Tbilisi–Erzurum oil and gas pipelines, as well as the Baku–Tbilisi–Kars railway. Thanks to these projects, our country has become not only a regional energy artery but also a key player shaping the strategic routes for transporting energy resources between East and West.

President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has always emphasised that only a strong economy can ensure political independence. That is why the early years of his presidency were devoted to reforms aimed at modernising infrastructure and developing industry. Over more than two decades, Azerbaijan’s GDP has multiplied several times, and the standard of living for its citizens has risen significantly. The state was able to build financial reserves that allowed it to weather global crises without losses. All of this laid a solid foundation for building a modern, standards-compliant army and implementing large-scale social programs.

Over the years of reform, the Azerbaijani Armed Forces have become one of the most combat-ready armies in the world. Their professionalism and morale were vividly demonstrated during the 44-day war, which culminated in Azerbaijan’s historic victory. In September 2023, the Azerbaijani army carried out a brilliant one-day counterterrorism operation in the Karabakh region, fully restoring the sovereignty and territorial integrity of our country.

The liberation of Azerbaijan’s ancestral lands, the restoration of justice, the revival of Karabakh and Eastern Zangezur, and the gradual return of displaced families to their homes—all of this became possible thanks to President Aliyev’s visionary policies, his unwavering will, and his ability to unite the nation around a great goal.

Ilham Aliyev has succeeded in accomplishing what once seemed impossible to many, proving that even a relatively small country can achieve great goals when led by a leader with a clear strategy, iron will, and faith in his people.

The strategy of the Azerbaijani leader was implemented despite the plans of many global centers of influence, which wished to see a different Azerbaijan—weakened, dependent, with occupied territories and an unstable domestic political situation. But on October 15, 2003, the Azerbaijani people chose the path of further strengthening and prosperity for their country.

Today, 22 years later, the citizens of Azerbaijan can see the results of their historic choice. Stability, security, growing international prestige, and confidence in the future—all of these are the fruits of years of hard work and the visionary policies of one of the most prominent statesmen of the 21st century, President Ilham Aliyev.