PARTICIPANTS OF CONSTITUENT CONFERENCE OF FEDERATION OF THE AZERBAIJAN COMMUNITIES OF TURKEY
Intimately I welcome you - participants and visitors of the constituent conference of Federation of the Azerbaijan Communities of Turkey, I wish success to work of the Forum.
We live during the important epoch of strengthening of unity and solidarity of Azerbaijanis of the world, their close unification around the ideas of Azerbaijanism and Azerbaijan state. In this cause, it is necessary to note especially the historical role of the founder of the independent Azerbaijan state, our national leader Heydar Aliyev. The last years under his management has been done huge work on the organization of Azerbaijanis of the world at high level, to strengthening of their links with each other and with the historical Motherland, to active participation in political, economic and cultural life of the countries where they live. During visits to foreign countries as head of the state Heydar Aliyev on regularly carried out meetings with the Azerbaijan communities, assisted creation of the organizations of Diaspora, gave valuable recommendations for their activity. Carrying out in 2001 the Congress of Azerbaijanis of the world, and after a while creation of the State Committee on Work with the Azerbaijanis Living Abroad, gave a powerful pulse to work with our compatriots.
The great work, founded by our national leader, today confidently continues. Our state takes necessary measures on the organization of foreign Azerbaijan communities, maintenance of their unity, strengthening of relations with Motherland, formation of strong Azerbaijan lobby, maintenance of the national and civil rights of Azerbaijanis recognized by international law and conventions, this work will proceed and henceforth. At the same time Azerbaijanis living abroad, becoming the important public factor, should take active participation in the political, economic, public and cultural life of the countries where they live. Azerbaijan communities functioning in the numerous countries and societies should show the coordinated position in national questions, expand effective and steady lobbyist activity for the benefit of Azerbaijan.
The Azerbaijanis always differed with their activity in political and cultural life of Turkey, have been represented at high level in all spheres, closely integrated into the society. The friendly and brotherly states - Azerbaijan and Turkey, their peoples are united with overall aims, common position in all questions. The commonness of the strategic purposes, common cultural –moral values, conterminous national interests create fine ground for fruitful cooperation in all areas. In this sense, activity of the Azerbaijanis living in fraternal Turkey, their communities and societies represents special value.
Azerbaijan and Turkish peoples great leaders Mustafa Kamal Ataturk and Heydar Aliyev who never separated Azerbaijan and Turkey from each other and who have said “Pleasure of Azerbaijan - our pleasure, its grief – our grief”, “One nation, two states”, have defined for both peoples common a direction of activity. Both the head of Azerbaijan and the head of the Turkish state have played a special role in expansion of both public and official relations between Turkey and Azerbaijan, amplification of activity of the non-governmental organizations representing both states.
Federation of the Azerbaijan Communities of Turkey, gathered today on the constituent conference, wait responsible and nice affairs. The Azerbaijan organizations functioning in this country have saved up rich political experience. They have made much for unity of two peoples. But in the coming years, these communities wait even more grandiose affairs. The Azerbaijan societies and henceforth should promote actively to the further rapprochement of two fraternal people, adequately to represent and propagandize Azerbaijan in Turkey, to develop public, humanitarian and scientific - cultural ties. In this area, there are unused opportunities and wide potential.
Turkish and Azerbaijan communities should coordinate their activity in Europe and America, to act from common position. I should note especially, that the organizations representing Turkey, always and everywhere actively protected interests of Azerbaijan, were its adherents, have played important role in prevention of various hostile intentions. I do not doubt at all that this activity will continue and henceforth.
Once again I welcome participants and visitors of the Conference, I wish successes in realization of the decisions adopted by it and forthcoming noble purposes.
Ilham Aliyev,
President of the Republic of Azerbaijan
City of Baku, 27 May 2004
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