Mexican “The News” newspaper issues article titled “Azerbaijani envoy marks Republic Day”
Baku, July 3 (AZERTAC). Mexican “The News” newspaper has issued an article titled “Azerbaijani envoy marks Republic Day”.
The article covers Azerbaijani Ambassador to Mexico Ilgar Mukhtarov speech at a ceremony on the 95th anniversary of the establishment of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic.
The article reads: “Azerbaijani Ambassador to Mexico Ilgar Mukhtarov and his wife Nargiz Rahimkhanova marked the 95th anniversary of the establishment of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic (ADR) - the first secular parliamentary democracy in the Muslim world - with a diplomatic reception at the Club Naval.
“The establishment of a republic was a major historical event because the people of Azerbaijan gained the independence and freedom that they had dreamt about for centuries,” Mukhtarov said at the start of the reception.
“At the same time, the establishment of the republic gave impetus for the spread of the republic structure throughout the Muslim world.”
Mukhtarov went on to say that with the birth of the Azerbaijani republic, new models of democracy, including universal suffrage, appreciation for the arts and the establishment of a university took hold.
Two years later, however, the Caucasian country’s hard-fought freedom was crushed and Azerbaijan became part of the USSR under the name of the Socialist Soviet Republic of Azerbaijan.
Notwithstanding, Mukhtarov said that during the 23 months of its existence prior to Bolshevik occupation in April 1920, the ADR succeeded in restoring its territorial integrity, securing international recognition, and establishing democratic institutions, including a Parliament and a multi-party representative government.
Mukhtarov said that among other key achievements of the first Azerbaijani republic were the dramatic reduction in illiteracy and unemployment and the elimination of poverty.
He also said that the country’s massive industrialization, under the guidance of its late national leader Heydar Aliyev, helped to propel Azerbaijan into the global arena as a developed nation with a free-market economy.
“Today, Azerbaijan (which regained its independence in 1991 after the fall of the USSR) is recognized globally as a reliable partner and friendly country,” Mukhtarov said.
“That is reflected in the election of Azerbaijan to the UN Security Council, as well as the many other roles played by our nation in international forum and international projects. We are a member of both the Organization of Islamic Cooperation and the Council of Europe. We are an active member of the Non-Aligned Movement and have already demonstrated our position within that organization.”
Mukhtarov pointed out his government’s first Latin American embassy was opened here in Mexico City five years ago, and that Baku has since opened embassies in Argentina, Brazil and Cuba.
He said new diplomatic missions will soon open in Peru, Colombia and Central America.
“The role of Azerbaijan in the region has significantly strengthened,” he said, adding “Azerbaijan is playing a key role in the energy security of Europe.”
Mukhtarov concluded by noting that the democratic process in Azerbaijan “continues to develop” and all human rights and freedoms are protected in the country.
“The open tolerance and secularism of the state is one of the most valuable assets of modern Azerbaijan,” he said.
“Independence is our biggest joy and our most important asset.”
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