During my first visit to Azerbaijan, I felt pleasure and honor from the meeting with him. I invited my colleagues and me to have dinner. This was a memorable treatment and I was excited and deeply impressed of such a particular attention. I keep an unforgettable memory from that meeting.

President Heydar Aliyev is a courageous personality with iron will. He is fully linked to his country, he take breaths from his country and lives up with its difficulties, makes enormous efforts to improve the life of people, taking into account the reality acts as pragmatic. He does not promise in vain, he gives concrete hopes.

Speaking of President Heydar Aliyev’s will and strength, I remember well that immediately after the operation he received me and had a long talk. And when we recommended him to have a rest, he said: “No, this is very important. As I attach a great significance to the relations between France and Azerbaijan, I have to talk to you” and our conversation had positive results.

President Heydar Aliyev could restore stability and unity among all the forces in the country. He restored necessary confidence and order to ensure economic development for social progress in the country. He created favorable conditions to get high benefit from the natural sources in the country.

Today Azerbaijan courageously marches towards the market economy. The country has chosen path of pluralism and democratic way of expression. The state advances in this way. President Heydar Aliyev could mobilize all the forces in the country for a common goal – for progress of Azerbaijan. In particular, I would underline that President Heydar Aliyev applied the basic principles of the Western democracy – secularity in his country. Everybody in the country is free in his faith and religion. At the same time, the religion should not intrude the rule of country. This is an important principle.

I would say that just thanks to the activity of President Heydar Aliyev, Azerbaijan was glorified beyond the borders of the South Caucasus. Today, Heydar Aliyev’s contributions are unsubstitutable in development of good relations between France and Azerbaijan. WE have sincere friendly relations between the Azerbaijani and French peoples. I am very pleased that President Heydar Aliyev always marks with great attention the anniversary of the French Revolution – 14 July. The day on which the people of France gained freedom and democracy coincides with the landmark date for Heydar Aliyev, who on this day brought to his country progress, freedom and democracy.

I am proud that we spare not our joint efforts to establish a legal state to respect the rights of man and nation, better the life of all.

Paris, May 2003