OFFICIAL NEWS
NOVRUZ BAYRAM CONGRATULATIONS TO THE PEOPLE OF AZERBAIJAN
Dear compatriots!
I extend my sincere congratulations and best wishes to You on the occasion of Novruz Bayram!
Novruz has always been marked by our people as a Holiday of Spring imbuing them with the spirits of reconciliation, friendship, sincerity, purity and revival. Novruz is considered as a holiday, which along with awakening of nature, gives rise to pure intentions and good wishes in people’s hearts, and as an embodiment of integrity and harmony between people and nature.
Novruz, embodying our centuries-old national values, customs and traditions, has created a sound foundation for the people to strengthen unity and amicability between them, to show mercy towards and take care about each other. After independence, Novruz has been marked in Azerbaijan at a sate level allowing us to get back to our historical roots, and strengthen care about national and moral values of the people.
It should be noted that as a Holiday of Spring, Novruz is widely celebrated not only in Azerbaijan but also in many other countries. People take this holiday as an embodiment of revival, optimism, solidarity and fulfillment of wishes. That everyone is celebrated Novruz Bayram at his own home is one of our people’s best traditions. Unfortunately, those who were ousted from their lands - refugees and IDPs - are not able to follow this tradition this year again. But I am confident that the day when the people driven out from the lands of their fathers and grandfathers celebrate this Holiday in their homes is not far off.
I express my sincere congratulations and best wishes on the occasion of Novruz Bayram to the refugees and IDPs, those who have undermined their health and become disabled in the struggle for independence and territorial integrity of Azerbaijan, families of shahids, as well as the soldiers and officers who are now standing guard over our borders.
The Azerbaijan State founded and strengthened by our people’s nationwide leader Heydar Aliyev is getting increasingly powerful. All spheres of life of the state and the public are brought to conformity with the world’s standards; democratic values and human rights are provided in fuller measure. Economy is steadily developed improving social welfare of the population.
We have intensified efforts for resolution of our sorest problem, the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh mobilizing all internal possibilities as well as using the instruments of the international law. Our stance is resolute and irreversible. Sovereignty and territorial integrity of Azerbaijan must be ensured, stability and security must be upheld, and the violated rights of our citizens must be restored.
The power and consolidation of our state and people, strong will and steadfastness of citizens instill confidence that we will do achieve our goals.
On this festive day, I once again extend my best wishes for happiness, well-being, good health and success of every Azerbaijani, every citizen of the country and their families.
Ilham Aliyev
President of the Republic of Azerbaijan
March 19, 2004