SERVICEMEN GET HIGH STATE AWARDS
Minister of Defense, colonel-general Safar Abiyev, in his statement on behalf of the President of Azerbaijan, Supreme Commander-in- chief Ilham Aliyev has congratulated participants of ceremony. “Today is a significant event in the life of each of us. In fact, not every day it is possible to meet people, who showed heroism and selflessness.
Having emphasized, that in the history of Azerbaijan people there was a lot of facts of heroism, that the people to which the state awards and appropriate honorary titles today will be handed, have been awarded with high awards due to the selflessness shown in the name of our independence. Colonel-general Safar Abiyev, reminding the words of President Heydar Aliyev - “Our main task consists in protection, preservation, strengthening, development and perpetuating the state independence of Azerbaijan”, has noted that soldiers, officers and generals of the Armed Forces of Azerbaijan, including civil employees who will receive today high awards, have shown courage and fortitude in the name of independence and territorial integrity of our state.
The Minister has emphasized, that in the Armenian-Azerbaijan war 133 military men of military units of the Ministry of Defense received the honorary title of the «National Hero of Azerbaijan». Of them, 53 are officers, 1 - ensign, 79 - cadets, soldier and sergeants. Only 16 of them have received this honorary title at their lifetime, and 117 - posthumously. To 77 fighters awarded with this rank and gold medals of honorary title of the “National Hero” have been handed by our national leader Heydar Aliyev.
“Flag of Azerbaijan” were presented to 217 persons, the medal “For military merits” to 232, the medal “For courage” - to 3 persons. On Decree of our national leader Heydar Aliyev, dated June 24, 2003, 22 military men of the Ministry of Defense have been awarded with award “Flag of Azerbaijan”, 21 person - the medal “For Motherland”, 7 - the medal “For courage” and 113 person – the medal “ For military merits ”. It is a bright example of attention and care of our national leader for staff of our Armed Forces, the Minister said.
Minister of Defense also has noted, that 59th anniversary of the Victory over the German fascism is coming, that sons and daughters of Azerbaijan have made great contribution to achievement of the victory in the Great Patriotic War, and has told: “We are ready to continue this heroism of our brave fathers and grandfathers and in the battlefield. In fact, people loves the army, the daily care of our Armed Forces is in the center of attention of the President, Supreme Commander-in- chief Ilham Aliyev. I want to assure the head of our people and the head of our state that today the Azerbaijan soldiers are ready to show new examples of heroism in struggle against the Armenian fascism.
Then, he handed over the high state awards.