“This year marks the crucial occasion of Azerbaijan, centennial of our National Leader!”

Ambassador Ramin Hasanov of the Republic of Azerbaijan said, “This year marks the crucial occasion in Azerbaijan--the centennial anniversary of the National Leader Heydar Aliyev.” Then he said, “Based on the respective order signed by the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, this year, in the framework of Year of Heydar Aliyev, we widely celebrate the 100th anniversary of the birth of Heydar Aliyev, the National Leader of Azerbaijani people, the founder and architect of the modern, mighty, independent state of Azerbaijan.”

Ambassador Hasanov made the impressive remarks at a dinner meeting at the Four Seasons Hotel in Seoul on the evening of Dec. 11, 2023, which was attended by many distinguished guests from the Korean society as well as from the international community, ambassadors and madams from the Seoul Diplomatic Corps.

From the mass communications media circles came many representatives who included Publisher-Chairman Lee Kyung-sik of The Korea Post media (publisher of 3 English and 2 Korean-language news publications since 1985) with his editor and writer.

The Republic of Korea Ministry of Foreign Affairs also has a very favorable view of the Republic of Azerbaijan, which says Azerbaijan is a very important country to Korea.

Located in the center of the South Caucasus and on the coast of the Caspian Sea and being a link between Asia and Europe, Azerbaijan is a fascinating country with a unique culture. And she is a country where Islamic and Soviet cultures coexist, shares history with Iran and was center of the Silk Road connecting the West and East. (See further details of the ROK Foreign Ministry’s view of the country at the end of this report.)

Among the highlights of the celebration event was also the presentation of wonderful music by Korean lady musicians who presented wonderful music adding to the pleasant atmosphere of the celebration.

However, what attracted the best attention of the reception that evening was the presentation of a large picture of the Leader of the Nation of Azerbaijan, Heydar Alirza oghlu Aliyev (May 10, 1923-Dec. 12, 2003) who served as the third President of Azerbaijan from October 1993 to October 2003. He led Azerbaijan from 1969 to 1982.

H.E. Aliyev became the president of independent Azerbaijan while the country was on the brink of civil war and suffering serious losses in the First Nagorno-Karabakh War with neighboring Armenia. Aliyev's supporters credit him with restoring stability to Azerbaijan and turning the country into a major

 Ambassador Hasanov of Azerbaijan giving a meaningful message :

"This year marks the crucial occasion in Azerbaijan--the centennial anniversary of the National Leader Heydar Aliyev.

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, this year, in the framework of Year of Heydar Aliyev, we widely celebrate the 100th anniversary of the birth of Heydar Aliyev, the National Leader of Azerbaijani people, the founder and architect of the modern, mighty, independent state of Azerbaijan.

Heydar Aliyev, with his charismatic personality, successfully saved Azerbaijani people from the complex historical and political trials and brought them to independence through consistent struggle. Azerbaijani people entered the new century and the new millennium precisely in the light of Heydar Aliyev’s intelligence."

"Heydar Aliyev is the very leader who formulated the modern history of Azerbaijan, becoming a true legend of his time. The history remembers him as a unique leader, powerful head of state, selfless man and legendary figure able to take on his shoulders a difficult historical task of state building. Modern Azerbaijan, confidently advancing on the path of continuous progress, is a masterpiece founded based on Heydar Aliyev’s extraordinary experience. Therefore, the name of the Great Leader has become a symbol of modern independent Azerbaijan.

Heydar Aliyev’s immortal ideas are still valid even today, they lead our country forward and will always live on while Azerbaijan exists. Heydar Aliyev’s soul is happy, because by following the Great Leader’s strategic vision, victorious Azerbaijani Army under the leadership of President Ilham Aliyev, Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, liberated Azerbaijan’s occupied territories and ensured country’s full sovereignty over all its territories. Azerbaijan supports peace agenda and is interested in normalization of inter-State relations and soonest completion of the peace treaty negotiations with Armenia."

The Republic of Korea Ministry of Foreign Affairs comment on Azerbaijan:

Azerbaijan is located in the center of the South Caucasus and on the coast of the Caspian Sea. Being a link between Asia and Europe, Azerbaijan is in a geographically favorable position. Details of the Ministry’s introduction of the country follow:

Azerbaijan is a fascinating country with a unique culture. Azerbaijan, where Islamic and Soviet cultures coexist, shares history with Iran and was center of the Silk Road connecting the West and East.

Also, Azerbaijan is rich with natural resources, oil and gas fields. Azerbaijan has been implementing energy projects such as the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline, which transports Caspian oil to the Mediterranean Sea since 2006, the Baku-Tbilisi-Erzurum pipeline that transports Azerbaijani gas to the central part of Turkey since 2007 and the Southern Gas Corridor which supports the energy security of the European continent since the end of 2020.