I cordially congratulate you - employees of the Azerbaijan Scientific-Research Institute of Eye Illnesses after academician Zarifa Aliyeva on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of creation of your institute.

All activity of the Institute of Eye Illnesses, being one of the recognized scientific-medical centers of country, has been devoted to a noble deed - guarding health of people. During the past years, the Institute has carried out large scientific researches, connected to diagnosis, prophylaxis and treatment of eye illnesses. It has made enormous contributions to organization in the Republic of all medical institutions on eye illnesses and training of personnel for it. Your Institute has played great role in prevention and liquidation of heavy eye illnesses in Azerbaijan, in whole, in establishment of scientific-medical environment. Just thanks to fruitful research works of the staff of your Institute and consecutively carried out expedience measures, in the Republic, were eliminated dangerous eye illnesses, and hundreds of people with poor eyesight were gifted recovery.

Confidently moving ahead on a way of construction of democratic and legal state, the independent Azerbaijan, left difficulties of 90s of the last century, conduct huge creative work inside of the country, every day strengthens its positions in the world. And it, in turn, will provide the life of our people in conditions of peace, well being and prosperity. There are no doubts that our country which has entered a stage of dynamical development in all areas of life, will achieve essential achievements and in sphere of development of medical science, increase of level of health services of the population. I trust, that in these successes there will be also your share, that owing to your glorious work you adequately will cope with extremely important work assigned to you.

I express confidence, that the Scientific Research Institute of Eye Illnesses, continuing rich traditions of the Azerbaijan ophthalmologic school, educated such outstanding scientists and doctors as Umnise Musabayova, Zarifa Aliyeva, Nazim Efendiyev, Zahra Guliyeva, will and further made contributions to performance of greater problems the independent Azerbaijan state faces in the field of public health services, will make every effort for health protection of our people.

I wish all of you new successes in your responsible, noble and necessary activity, and also - health and happiness.

Ilham Aliyev,

President of Azerbaijan Republic

Baku, June 8, 2006