The historical reality in the late 20th century granted Azerbaijan the opportunity to restore its independence. 30 years have passed since the adoption of the Constitutional Act on the independence of Azerbaijan. The first official document on the path of independence dates back to 30 August 1991, when the declaration ‘On restoring the state independence of the Republic of Azerbaijan’ was adopted at the unscheduled session of the AR Supreme Council, called at the request of the people. Following this, the Constitutional Act ‘On state independence of the Republic of Azerbaijan’ was unanimously adopted at the session of the Supreme Soviet of the Republic of Azerbaijan on 18 October the same year. Azerbaijan thus regained its independence.
The first state to recognize the independence of the Republic of Azerbaijan was the Republic of Turkey on 9 November 1991, followed by Romania (11 December 1991), Pakistan (13 December 1991), Switzerland (23 December 1991), Iran (25 December 1991), the United States of America (23 January 1992), Russia (10 April 1992) and others. Azerbaijan became a member of the UN as an independent state on 2 March 1992.
The restoration of state independence was not merely a product of historical reality, but of the yearning for independence and struggles for freedom of the people of Azerbaijan. Azerbaijan achieved independence under difficult socio-economic conditions and at a time when our people were going through dreadful ordeals.
Shortly after regaining independence, our people came face to face with the threat of losing it again. Armenia’s territorial claims against our country and the state of undeclared war on the one hand and the incompetence of the state leadership, internal political strife, and civil disharmony on the other caused the risk of stifling the independence in the cradle.
It was at this time that the great son of the Azerbaijani people, the National Leader Heydar Aliyev, returned to power in 1993 at the request of the people of Azerbaijan, which made it possible to preserve and develop our independence. As a result of his successful policy, Azerbaijan penned numerous successive reforms. A truce was attained shortly after in the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict. The economy in the country was rebuilt based on market economy principles, allowing our country to integrate into the world economy. As the top international companies, especially engaged in oil, were engaged in the development of hydrocarbon resources in Azerbaijan, the foundation for sustainable development was laid in the country. ‘A state with a strong economy is capable of everything’, said the Great Leader, announcing that the independence of Azerbaijan is eternal and irreversible. Democratic values were identified as one of the main criteria that determined the state policy.
Staying true to political traditions and the supreme values of state defence, President Ilham Aliyev – a worthy follower of the political course determined by the Great Leader Heydar Aliyev – carries out unprecedented reforms to build a democratic society in Azerbaijan and further develop democratic legal statehood. Azerbaijan is living the peak of its progress as an independent state built on the principles of the rule of law, democracy, and secularism. Growing due to the ironclad political will of the head of state, Azerbaijan has transformed into a social state. Our people live in prosperity and all conditions have been created for them to have a comfortable life.
A year ago, our lands that had been under enemy occupation for nearly 30 years, were liberated as a result of the 44-day Patriotic War. The entire world admired the Victorious Supreme Commander-in-Chief, our valiant army, and the unity of our strong-willed nation. The people united around their leader and penned the eternity of our independence. We are extremely proud of our independent state today.
As our country entered a new development stage after the Patriotic War, we felt the need for marking the historic dates that were of extreme importance for our history of statehood. On 28 May 1918 the National Council of Azerbaijan Democratic Republic signed the Declaration of Independence and announced Azerbaijan’s independence to the entire world, thus continuing the historic traditions of our statehood. In a short period of time, they managed to establish the first parliament, government and state attributes of Azerbaijan, defined the borders, took important steps in the field of state building, and undertook serious measures in having our Republic recognized as a part of international relations system and protecting our national interests in the diplomatic arena. The laws adopted by the parliament, fresh into the office, played a fundamental role in strengthening national independence, ensuring political, economic, and cultural development in the country, and establishing democratic principles. The Azerbaijan Democratic Republic existed for only 23 months but played a significant role in shaping democratic traditions in the Islamic East.
The Constitutional Act ‘On the State Independence of the Republic of Azerbaijan’ adopted on 18 October 1991 paid tribute to the Declaration of Independence dates 28 May 1991 and the Declaration of the Supreme Soviet of the Republic of Azerbaijan ‘On Restoring the State Independence of the Republic of Azerbaijan’ dated 30 August 1991, thus establishing that the Republic of Azerbaijan is the successor of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic. Thus, according to the Constitutional Act ‘On the State Independence of the Republic of Azerbaijan’, the people of Azerbaijan regained their independence on 18 October 1991.
18 October 2021 marks 30 years since the restoration of the independence of the Republic of Azerbaijan. For the first since 1991, the people of Azerbaijan are celebrating this holiday in completely different spirits, as a victorious nation that has restored its territorial integrity. In this regard, it is exceptionally important to mark the crucial dates for our history of statehood, especial those such as the Independence Day, more accurately in accordance with their essence and content.
According to the Law of the Republic of Azerbaijan on Independence Day dated 15 October 2021, 28 May Republic Day was renamed Independence Day and 18 October State Independence Day was renamed Day of Restoration of Independence.
Marking 28 May as the Independence Day and 18 October as Day of Restoration of Independence is based on the fact that the state sovereignty of Azerbaijan had been established in 1918. This manifests that modern day Azerbaijan, with restored territorial integrity, is the full-fledged successor of Azerbaijan Democratic Republic established in 1918.
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