President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev sent a message of congratulations to Azerbaijanians of the World, whereby the Head of the Azerbaijan State said:

“Dear compatriots! Dear fellow countrymen!

I address to you on the occasion of holiday that is dear to every Azerbaijanian - Day of Solidarity of Azerbaijanians of the World. This holiday, already fifteen years marked on the initiative of our nationwide leader Heydar Aliyev by Azerbaijanians of the world, as the day of national unity and solidarity, embodies the ideas of belonging to Azerbaijan people, propagation of our national-cultural wealth, devotedness to the historical Motherland, strengthening of unity and organization of our compatriots.

With feeling of satisfaction it is possible to note, that the idea of unity and solidarity of Azerbaijanians, today, already dominates in minds of our compatriots living all over the world, and also brought to the level of priority of state policy. For last years, indeed, huge work has been done directed on the organization of our compatriots in the countries, where they live, expansion of activity of the Azerbaijan communities, strengthening connections with the Motherland. I and II Congresses of Azerbaijanians of the World have given a powerful impulse to process of close cohesion of our compatriots around of the independent state - the Republic of Azerbaijan, spread of the idea of Azerbaijanism, synthesizing national-spiritual and universal values, have defined our forthcoming tasks.

Now, the Azerbaijan Republic and our Diaspora have entered qualitatively new stage of activity. The Azerbaijan state carries out consecutive activity for protection of social and economic interests of our compatriots living abroad, their rights fixed by the international conventions, takes purposeful and effective measures. Every day, connections of Azerbaijanians of the world with Motherland, their participation in economic and socio-economic life of our country becomes stronger and extends. Communities and societies of Azerbaijanians in the separate countries are united around the common centers, and their influence on political life grows. Our compatriots gradually play more and more active role in the cause of bringing up to world community the truth about Azerbaijan, propagation of rich national culture, exposure of ideological provocations of the aggressive Armenian nationalists.

However, it is necessary to note also that the potential opportunities of the Azerbaijan Diaspora are considerably above the real results of its activity. We have still many serious, important problems demanding solution. Azerbaijanians should integrate closely into the economic, political and socio-cultural life of the countries in which they live, to play the role of a link between these countries and the Azerbaijan Republic. It is necessary to strengthen interaction functioning in various levels of the Azerbaijan societies, to coordinate their measures on the important questions. It is necessary to organize on a regular basis consecutive and offensive measures against the insidious Armenian propagation. It is necessary to undertake effective steps connected with all-Azerbaijan questions, to form in the leading countries a strong Azerbaijan lobby. It is necessary to establish fruitful cooperation with friendly communities and organizations of lobby, to make use of their positive experience in the field of establishment of Diaspora.

The outgoing year, 2006, was for the Azerbaijan Republic successful enough and rich with achievements. We have put into operation and now the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan Main Export Pipeline serves well being of our country and all region, the author of idea and architect of which is Heydar Aliyev. Gas production on Shahdeniz deposit has already begun, and the Baku-Tbilisi-Erzurum gas main, through which the Azerbaijan gas will be transported to the world market, will shortly become operational, too.

In 2006, Azerbaijan has taken the leading position all over the world on economic growth. The country implements grandiose programs of socio-economic development and infrastructure projects, applies advanced technologies. We realize programs on development of business, reduction of poverty and unemployment. Day by day, our country develops and changes, the mood of citizens improves, and their belief in the future becomes stronger. The image of our state in region and all over the world increases. Power of our country gradually grows, our foreign policy activity extends, and there are new opportunities in the field of fair settlement of the Armenia-Azerbaijan, Nagorno-Karabakh conflict in the frame of norms of international law. The life itself proves the policy pursued by us, and there is no alternative to Heydar Aliyev’s strategic line. I wish to assure you that all the tasks our state and people have to realize will be carried out and henceforth at the high level and that the Azerbaijan Republic and Azerbaijanians will take the worthy place in the globalizing world corresponding to their material-spiritual and intellectual potential.

Dear compatriots! Dear country fellows!

I cordially congratulate all of you on the Day of Solidarity of Azerbaijanians of the World and the New Year, and I wish you health, well being, happiness, successes in our common cause!

Ilham Aliyev

President of the Azerbaijan Republic

Baku, December 27, 2006