OFFICIAL NEWS
PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF AZERBAIJANHIS EXCELLENCYMR. ILHAM ALIYEV
It was great sadness that I upon my return to Brussels, received the message of the passing away of your beloved father and former President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Heydar Aliyev.
Without any doubt, you and the whole world will remember him as the person who saved the newly independent Republic of Azerbaijan from the course of civil war and secessionism, opening it up for foreign investments in the oil sector and thereby providing conditions for a sustainable socio-economic development of his country.
No greater tribute to him will be possible than building upon his legacy the stable, economically sound, socially equitable and politically pluralistic society that you envisioned in your inaugural speech as new President of the Republic of Azerbaijan.
May I express once again my sincere condolence to you personally, your family and the whole population of the Republic of Azerbaijan with the loss of your father and its former President Heydar Aliyev.
Yours sincerely
Anthonins W. de Vries
European Commission Special envoy to the Republic of Azerbaijan