Heydar Aliyev (L) and former Vietnamese Top Leader Do Muoi (R).

Heydar Aliyev, as an architect of modern Azerbaijan, became a true legend of his time. History remembers him as a unique leader, a powerful head of state, a selfless man, and a legendary figure able to carry the difficult task of state-building on his shoulders.

Aliyev rendered great services to his nation during his tenure as the first deputy chairman of the Cabinet of what was then the Soviet Union (USSR).

After the collapse of the USSR, his efforts enabled the young state to stand on its feet and enter into the 21st century as an independent country.

Even though Azerbaijan declared its independence in 1991, political crisis, the emergence of separatist tendencies in different regions, and the severe socioeconomic situation put the country face-to-face with a threat of civil war. Things were further exacerbated by Armenia’s aggression and occupation of Azerbaijan’s lands.

In such a fateful moment, the Azerbaijani people entrusted their future to Aliyev, who served as the country’s president between 1993 and 2003. Thanks to his continued efforts, far-sighted and wise diplomacy to resolve the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, the cease-fire agreement signed in 1994 prevented the occupation of other territories and the loss of Azerbaijan’s independence.

Heydar Aliyev also is a founder of a modern army. He is credited with restoring and enriching the statehood traditions of Azerbaijan, and with strengthening the country’s economy. To turn a young independent Azerbaijan into a modern, powerful state with sustainable economic development, Aliyev formulated an oil strategy, which would lie at the heart of fundamental transformation of the future political and economic reforms. The strategy ensured the flow of foreign investments into the country that propelled it into a new era of development.

Under his dynamic leadership, an agreement between Azerbaijan and an international oil consortium was signed on September 20,1994 that launched the development of the Azeri-Chirag-Guneshli (ACG) oil fields in the Caspian Sea. Dubbed “The Contract of the Century,” it had implications beyond just an agreement to drill for, produce, and sell oil. The investment boosted the income and helped strengthen the independence of Azerbaijan.

Subsequently the opening of the Baku-Novorossiysk and Baku-Supsa pipelines in 1996 and 1999, the signing of an agreement on construction of the Baku-Tbilisi-Jeyhan main export oil pipeline, and the diversification of export routes were achieved to export Azerbaijani oil to the world.

The Baku-Tbilisi-Jeyhan main export oil pipeline is considered one of the greatest successes of Aliyev’s oil strategy. He also took the initiative to construct the Baku-Tbilisi-Erzurum gas pipeline to ensure the export of Azerbaijani gas to the West.

Azerbaijani leader also focused on the development of international and transit corridors and roads. The international conference on the reconstruction of the Silk Road was organized successfully in Baku in 1998. Azerbaijan signed several multilateral agreements to boost its transport sector, which helped the country’s economy.

Projects initiated by Aliyev are now being implemented by President Ilham Aliyev. In 2018 the Trans-Adriatic Pipeline (TAP) and the Trans-Anatolian Pipeline (TANAP) completed their connection with the final golden weld.

Multi-dimensional foreign policy course of Azerbaijan was set by Heydar Aliyev and which stemmed from understanding the benefits of engaging with everyone based on one’s national interest, has remained a successful foreign policy course for Azerbaijan ever since. Bilateral relations between Azerbaijan and other countries, as well as cooperation with international organizations were consolidated under his leadership. It is worth noting that Heydar Aliyev played an integral role in the establishment and development of the relationship between Azerbaijani and Vietnamese people too.

The visit of President Hồ Chí Minh to Azerbaijan in 1959 and the visit of Heydar Aliyev to Vietnam in 1983 laid the foundation of friendship between the two nations. Along with official meetings with the leadership of Vietnam, the solemn opening of the Friendship bridge and other important infrastructure objects took place with the participation of Heydar Aliyev. With the support of Heydar Aliyev more than 5 thousand Vietnamese had studied in higher educational institutions of Azerbaijan, some of them received diplomas from the hands of Heydar Aliyev himself. This is a vivid example of his personal support for Vietnamese students in Azerbaijan. Also thousands of Azerbaijani specialists were sent to Vietnam to help rebuild the war-torn country’s infrastructure and oil industry.

Heydar Aliyev’s ideas and wise policies were successfully continued by President Ilham Aliyev. Under this far-sighted policy, Azerbaijan is rapidly developing and building its reputation. Azerbaijani people commemorate the anniversary of their great leader’s birth on May 10 every year to express their love and respect.

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