President Ilham Aliyev congratulated the World Azerbaijanis on the occasion of December 31, the World Azerbaijanis Solidarity Day. The congratulatory message reads:

"Dear fellow countrymen,

Esteemed compatriots,

I cordially congratulate all of you on the occasion of the World Azerbaijanis Solidarity Day, founded by the national leader of Azerbaijan Heydar Aliyev and that became one of our traditional holidays. And wish each of you happiness and welfare.

Organization and consolidation of the Azerbaijanis living in foreign countries, strengthening of ties with the historical Motherland is an integral part of Diaspora movement. Currently, variety of structures founded by our compatriots, supported also by the Azerbaijani Government successfully and flexibly functions in many world countries. It is gratifying that our youth with their new ideas and patriotism, are closely involved in this process, making their valuable contribution to strengthening of Diaspora. The World Azerbaijani Youth Association founded in March current year is a vivid example to this.

Deep integration of our compatriots in the societies of their residence countries, the increasing role they play in the socio-political, economic and cultural life of those countries is noteworthy. This creates favorable environment to expand the country’s international relations, to present the Azerbaijani realities to the world and propagandize our rich and multicolored cultural heritage. Simultaneously, the Azerbaijani cultural centers already functioning in Moscow, Houston, Paris and the Kocaeli city of Turkey, and those would-be-opened in other countries will notably increase opportunities of our Diaspora. I am hopeful that the Diaspora organizations will further make necessary efforts, the State Committee on Work with Diaspora, the diplomatic missions in foreign countries and the Azerbaijani cultural centers will closely cooperate and consolidate their activity.

The historical conditions established after gaining state independence have made possible the wishes of solidarity and consolidation of the world Azerbaijanis. We, therefore, carry out consecutive and expedient work to ensure all-round development of the Republic of Azerbaijan that is the basis of our national identification, to strengthen its influence. As a result of undertaken measures, like in the past years, also in the outgoing 2012, the socio-economic development processes have continued successfully in the country. Strengthening of economic potential allowed paying much attention to the social, cultural, legal and other spheres, enabling to raise our state’s international prestige and expand the circle of our friends. Adoption of the decision of organization of the European Olympic Games in 2015 in Baku is bright evidence to the Azerbaijan’s rising role and opportunity of influence both in continental and worlds scale.

At present, being the UN Security Council’s member, the Republic of Azerbaijan profoundly understands its responsibility to preserve peace and stability in the world. Today, as a space of multiculturalism and tolerance, our country plays significant role in creation of global platform for cooperation between the Islamic world and the West, as well as other nations of different culture.

Dear compatriots!

You should know that the Republic of Azerbaijan is the Motherland for all Azerbaijanis living in the world, and you can find here support and reliance. Each Azerbaijani should spare no efforts for the progress of Motherland, to protect our national interests. We have to stand by each other and consolidate our efforts to strengthen our country’s sovereignty, for continuation of socio-economic development, fair settlement of the Armenia-Azerbaijan, Nagorno Karabakh conflict, reliable maintenance of protection of the rights and freedoms of our compatriots. Today, therefore, I call on you and invite the world Azerbaijanis to consolidation and solidarity, to preserve our national-moral values, to act vigorously for prosperity of our Motherland and strengthening of our country’s international position.

I warmly congratulate all of you on the occasion of this landmark holiday, and wish each of you robust health, happiness and successes

Ilham Aliyev,

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan

Baku, December 25, 2012.