However, if we look at the initiative of the head of state in the context of the processes that are taking place within Azerbaijani society, as well as in the region and in the world, it becomes obvious that the decision is well timed and prompted by a number of important circumstances.
The demand for changes and reforms is persistent in the national society. Expectations have grown, especially after the country’s victory in the Patriotic War of 2020, after which the head of state and Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the country’s Armed Forces Ilham Aliyev successfully resolved a problem of strategic importance. The restoration of Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity injected new confidence into the national society, revitalizing its morale and psyche.
While the international diplomacy kept insisting that the Karabakh problem has no military solution and everything should be resolved through negotiations, official Baku opted for a counter-offensive operation against Armenia, which had occupied Azerbaijani lands for almost 30 years. The strategy of relying on the people and the army has fully justified itself.
Azerbaijan’s great victory dramatically changed the geopolitical situation not only in the South Caucasus, but also in the wider world. It demonstrated the determination of the country’s political elite to defend our legitimate rights in the face of the inaction on the part of the UN and other international structures and their indifference to the fate of countries and peoples. Ilham Aliyev set a new encouraging trend in world politics.
With its place in the legal field secured, Azerbaijan has demonstrated the will for justice and transparency in everything that pertains to ensuring the primacy of international law and the expectations of the living generations. The country’s victory in the holy war sparked the rise of national identity. The historic breakthrough was the result of successful socio-economic and political reforms, which were carried out in several stages under the leadership of the head of state. Their progressiveness allowed and continues to ensure harmony in the implementation of important national programs. The growth of the national economy, Azerbaijan’s high standing in the international integration program, Ilham Aliyev’s contribution to international détente, and, finally, the great efficiency of his initiatives in the context of pressing challenges of the time have earned the Azerbaijani leader boundless respect among the political elite.
Today, Ilham Aliyev enjoys a high standing at the top of the list of political reformist leaders. He invariably meets expectations in terms of reforms that contribute to improving the quality of life in the national society and increasing people’s well-being. The head of the state places a great emphasis in the concept of the country’s development on the policy of giving fellow citizens the opportunity to influence the quality of life by improving the institutions of power.
Today, Ilham Aliyev is widely popular in the national society thanks to his successful domestic policy, which has created a strong economy, a capable army and sustainable social growth. The progress in nation-building became the key to the success of foreign policy, which is highly effective as well. The decision in favor of Azerbaijan’s membership in the Non-Aligned Movement, initiated by the head of state, has shown that Ilham Aliyev’s bearings in international politics are rational and live up to calculations and expectations.
After being elected President of Azerbaijan in 2018, Ilham Aliyev has made milestone changes in the life of the country, steering it towards addressing historical challenges. Strong intelligent governance by the national leader has instilled confidence in fellow citizens and created prerequisites for mobilization of the national resource in the main areas of life.
Under Ilham Aliyev’s leadership, Azerbaijani society has developed the teamwork skills to achieve important and momentous goals. The restoration of territorial integrity and sovereignty across all historical lands of Azerbaijan has created new realities. For the first time in the history of independent Azerbaijan, a presidential election will be held throughout the country.
It will be a new milestone on the road to accomplishing strategic tasks in the light of the challenges of the new era, and will also allow for a smooth transition into a new reform phase.
Tofig Abbasov
Translated from Minval.az
