The Azerbaijan State News Agency

ILHAM ALIYEV: “I AM NOT THE SUCCESSOR OF THE PRESIDENT, I AM SUCCESSOR OF MY FATHER, MY FAMILY”

They say, it is the roots that feed tree. Also of important value is the sprawling crown covering in heat and cold, creating sensation of security, comfort and safety. Such "crown" for Azerbaijan became the incumbent President of the country - Ilham Aliyev who is now 46. The age is enough young and simultaneously mature to perform the task, which was laid on his shoulders by the Azerbaijani people, entrusted to him the destiny. The task is responsible and at the same time rather honorable - to represent the country on world arena, undertaking the responsibility for the future of the nation in XXI century. The worthy son of the great father - Heydar Aliyev, continuing his policy, Ilham Aliyev, having taken the baton from hands of the national leader, leads people and the country to progress, prosperity, and well-being.

He, with his elitist thinking, has come into contact to all layers of society and has proved that power of Ilham Aliyev is power of all Azerbaijani people. Ilham Aliyev considers, that “the policy should base not on words, not on slogans, but on real deeds”. Much of what the President of Azerbaijan does is said by his political maturity, prediction of possible development of situation not only in the country, but also all geo-politic process as a whole. It is necessary to tell, that during his power he has fulfilled all promises given to people during pre-election campaign.

Diligence, attention to associates and self-control is the qualities peculiar to him since the early childhood.

“In the years of study”, Ilham Aliyev writes in the article “My Universities”, published in newspaper "Azerbaijan", December 23, 2007, - “many thought, that Heydar Aliyev’s son, anyhow, will take advantage of the position of his father. He can do everything. However, father since the childhood has explained to me, that it should not be admitted, and I did not allow a single occasion to ill-wishers (they always were much) for attacks to our family”.

The archive of MGIMO (Moscow State Institute of International Relations) keeps the test book of Ilham Aliyev - A-student, who has got the diploma with honors. And estimations of high school teachers are rather expressive: “Ilham is a modest, honest and worthy person. The worthy son of his father. And we are proud of that he is the first President among graduates of our institute. And as President is worthy!”

Heydar Aliyev put his soul into Ilham Aliyev, all his knowledge, has made very much for his theoretical and practical preparation, using him on various posts, connecting to various negotiations. As shows the time, he thought not only on the future of his son, but also about the worthy continuer of his deed - about the future of Azerbaijan.

Frederick Starr, Chairman of the Central Asia-Caucasus Institute at the American Johns Hopkins University in exclusive interview to correspondent of AZERTAC has told: “One of the strengths of President Ilham Aliyev is that he does not take care of constantly to be in the center of attention. He is capable counterbalanced person, who is not admitting hasty decisions, respectfully regarding his opponents. I repeatedly heard, how politely he speaks about representatives of the Azerbaijani opposition. It is a person, able to separate personal feelings from policy. All these qualities are usually peculiar to very responsible person. I think that he till now perfectly served the country”. And that is true, as there is no higher challenge for the citizen and person.

From the very first days Ilham Aliyev truly served Azerbaijan, strengthening the state institutes, reforming structures of authority, creating effective control facilities with the incomes of natural riches. He has arranged for prevention of polarization of society from the point of view of incomes, has made and uses the best efforts for equal distribution of incomes of the country among the population.

Huge value, if not to tell priority, in this context has activity of the head of the state directed on development of regions. The President constantly visits regions, meets the public, and closely listens to everyone. Nobody can deny, that the regions of Azerbaijan intensively develop, and everywhere, alongside with new workplaces, are open medical - improving, sports and cultural complexes.

The constant attention of the President is focused on care of refugees and the IDPs. According to the State program, in Saatli and Sabirabad regions the last tent camps were liquidated. And in this Ilham Aliyev kept his promise.

Continuing the line of his father, the President pays really father-like attention to the men of art, supporting them both morally and materially. Buildings of the centers of culture - theatres, museums and other objects everywhere are under reconstruction, refining appearance of the capital.

Ilham Aliyev is the guarantor of independence of the country. Persistently carrying out democratization of society, developing democratic institutes, Azerbaijan has headed for integration into the world community, and taking a worthy place in family of the progressive peoples building a legal state.

Azerbaijan together with Turkey and Georgia has initiated really large-scale transcontinental projects, which will play important role in acceleration of economic development, increase of standard of life of the population, becomes the guarantor of safety and stability in region.

The State of Azerbaijan skillfully ruled by President Ilham Aliyev, became leading in the economic plan in Trans-Caucasus, year by year keeping one of the best parameters of growth in the world. From the country, taking loan, it has turned to the country giving credits.

For settlement of the Karabakh problem the President of the country does huge work as foreign observers mark, he has brought big endurance in negotiating process. Being the supporter of the peace settlement of the Karabakh problem, the President openly states, that Azerbaijan has all opportunities to defend its lands and restore the sovereignty in any way, including military way.

It is noteworthy to remember saying by the People’s Artist of Azerbaijan, professor Arif Melikov: ”Charisma is not only a bright rhetoric, but set of advantages of the person, unity of word and deed, integrity of nature, in short, qualities which lead to strong public sympathy. This is the nature of the deserved prestige and popularity of the Head of the Azerbaijan State”.

Share news on social media

Follow us on social network

Azerbaijan, Chile hold second round of political consultations

SOCAR hosts event marking National Leader Heydar Aliyev’s 103rd anniversary

Azerbaijan’s Defense Ministry holds training session with media representatives

Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan enhance cooperation in football

Shakira unveils official World Cup 2026 song

National Leader Heydar Aliyev’s 103rd anniversary marked in Berlin

Belarus and Azerbaijan explore implementation of joint projects

Azerbaijani short documentary wins special award at US festival

Azerbaijan’s Economic Council approves key measures to drive tourism

57 more families relocated to Khojavend district receive house keys

Memory of National Leader Heydar Aliyev honored at AZERTAC

Presidential Library hosts event marking 103rd anniversary of National Leader Heydar Aliyev

Azerbaijan presents “Attention” project at 61st Venice Biennale

Venice Biennale president hails Azerbaijan’s participation at Biennale Arte 2026

® AccessBank, AmCham, and Neurotime organize artificial intelligence hackathon

Baku Urban Week to run ahead of WUF13

® Central Customs Hospital hosts medical campaign marking 103rd Anniversary of National Leader Heydar Aliyev

Massive forest fire breaks out in Ukraine’s Chernobyl ‘exclusion zone’

AZERTAC’s photo correspondent wins three gold medals at international competitions

Georgia’s international reserves rise by $154.2 million in April 2026

Foreign Ministry: Display of a distorted map of Azerbaijan during program aired on Russia’s state-owned Channel One is a serious provocation

Oleksii Kuleba: We very much appreciate Azerbaijan for its principled position in supporting Ukraine

Another 41 families relocated to Aghdam city receive keys to new homes

UN proposes new global dashboard to measure progress beyond GDP

Scientists warn super El Niño could drive record global heat

Mongolian minister: New agreement with Azerbaijan paves way for direct flights between two countries

® PASHA Holding establishes PASHA Ventures Company LLC as part of its structural transformation

Girne American University rector visits Baku State University

Azerbaijan joins session of International Maritime Organization Committee on Marine Environment Protection

Azerbaijan and Ukraine discuss opportunities for business partnership

Chairman of Caucasus Muslims Office to visit Türkiye

China reports no human infections of Andes virus

2 killed, 51 injured as bus overturns in W. Afghanistan

Heydar Aliyev Foundation organizes charity event for children with special needs in China

AzerGold unveils new “Nakhchivan – Architect Ajami Heritage” silver coin

President Ilham Aliyev: Ethnic and religious diversity is protected as a national treasure in Azerbaijan

Media partners announced for WUF13

To His Holiness Pope Leo XIV

Southeast Asian leaders discuss Mideast war challenges with call for ‘unity, resolve’

Baku’s hosting of WUF13 reflects great trust placed in Azerbaijan, ambassador says

Top stories update

Izmir hosts another event marking 40th twinning anniversary with Baku

IsDB allocates over $1 bln for implementation of 19 state-guaranteed projects in Azerbaijan

Partner-led events at WUF13 to showcase global solutions for cities

Japan general waste hits record low in FY 2024 amid population decline

Gold prices jump in global markets

Oil prices rise in global markets

Trump says China visit to proceed as planned, expects 'amazing' meeting with counterpart Xi

Israeli researchers detect industrial contaminants in Mediterranean sharks

Death toll rises to 37 in central China fireworks plant explosion

Azeri Light sells for $105

2 killed in volcano eruption in Indonesia

Türkiye, Algeria vow deeper strategic cooperation as presidents meet

Iran says U.S. attacks Iranian vessels, civilian areas

Great Return: Azerbaijan resettles more families in Aghdam and Khojavend

U.S. int'l trade court rules Trump's new global tariff illegal

Crystal Palace beat Shakhtar to reach Conference League final

Aston Villa thrash Nottingham Forest to reach Europa League final

Azerbaijani, Hungarian think tanks explore academic cooperation

Azerbaijan and Mongolia discuss expanding judicial and legal exchange

Sahiba Gafarova meets with her Montenegrin counterpart

Azerbaijan expanding AI and “smart village” model in agriculture

NAM Parliamentary Network, Parliamentary Assembly of Mediterranean ink MOU

Commissioner vows to end poverty in 25 years as EU unveils first major strategy

Mongolian Prosecutor General: Memo on legal cooperation contributes to enhancing cooperation between two countries

Azerbaijan`s Milli Majlis granted observer status in Parliamentary Assembly of the Mediterranean

Top stories update

US confirms it will host another round of Israel-Lebanon talks next week

Azerbaijan, Czech Republic expanding energy cooperation

Prosecutor General of Mongolia visits Azerbaijan`s National Aviation Academy

Sahiba Gafarova: Parliamentary diplomacy serves as a platform for constructive cooperation even in the presence of disagreements

Azerbaijan’s ITF presidency sees accession of Panama, Ghana, and Peru to International Transport Forum

Azerbaijan, Finland hold another round of political consultations

® Trendyol Plus in Azerbaijan: 10 free deliveries and exclusive discounts

New future-oriented publications in Azerbaijani presented with support of bp

Scientists create "living plastic" that can self-destruct on command

Fede Valverde in hospital after second fight with Real Madrid teammate

Poland commemorates 81st anniversary of victory over fascism

Azerbaijan, San Marino review cooperation in renewable energy, natural gas supply

® With the new Birbank feature, tracking public transport expenses has become easier

Islamic Development Bank Group expresses readiness to finance AI initiatives in Azerbaijan

Shell beats profit forecasts in 1st quarter as Iran war boosts oil prices

Organizing committee holds meeting regarding hosting of WUF13

ANAS, Girne American University to sign cooperation agreement

Azerbaijan and Mongolia open new chapter of legal partnership, Prosecutor General says

® Turn your steps into gigabytes with Azercell’s “GiqaAddım” campaign

Baku hosts working meeting of military cybersecurity specialists from Azerbaijan and Georgia

Azerbaijan, San Marino explore developing energy cooperation

Chairman of Azerbaijan Chamber of Accounts: Digitalization of public audit and use of AI in this sector are among key priorities

President Ilham Aliyev awards group of art figures

Culture figures awarded individual scholarships by President of Azerbaijan – ORDER

Azerbaijani official attends meeting of European Volleyball Confederation in Luxemburg

‘New joint projects will further strengthen fraternal ties between Azerbaijan and Türkiye’

Azerbaijan's tourism opportunities promoted in Baltic countries

Two former Chinese defense ministers handed death sentence with reprieve for graft

Group of Ukrainian students undergo rehabilitation program in Azerbaijan

Uzbek delegation visits Azerbaijan’s National Defense University

4 teams, 2 spots: Europa League reaches crescendo with final at stake

Exhibition of Azerbaijani artists opens in Izmir

Azerbaijani universities showcase their stands at Europe Universities Summit