Today Azerbaijan celebrates the Day of Restoration of Independence, according to the Azerbaijan’s Embassy in Dushanbe.  This year marks the 33rd anniversary of the restoration of independence of the Republic of Azerbaijan on October 18, says a statement released by the Azerbaijan’s Embassy.

“The Azerbaijani people created an independent republic at the beginning of the last century, and in 1991 the Republic of Azerbaijan restored its independence as the successor to the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic.

“On 28 May 1918 the National Council of Azerbaijan Democratic Republic signed the Declaration of Independence and announced Azerbaijan’s independence to the entire world, thus continuing the historic traditions of Azerbaijan statehood.  The newly established Azerbaijan Democratic Republic did its utmost to honorably fulfill the historic mission that it undertook.  The republic made great strides in building an independent, democratic state, creating the first parliament and government, state apparatus and governing institutions, defining the country`s borders, establishing military units with high combat capability, ensuring territorial integrity and national security, and undertook serious measures in having Azerbaijan Democratic Republic recognized as a part of international relations system and protecting its national interests in the diplomatic arena.

“Azerbaijan Democratic Republic pursued a peaceful policy trying to establish mutually beneficial cooperation with all states and build relationships based on the principles of respect for each other’s rights.  It was thanks to the activities of Azerbaijan Democratic Republic that Azerbaijan became a subject of international law, which prevented its disappearance from the political map of the world as a state after the Bolshevik occupation in April 1920.

“On October 18, 1991, when Azerbaijan gained its independence it declared itself the political and legal successor of Azerbaijan Democratic Republic and demonstrated its commitment to its ancient traditions of statehood. Soon it restored state symbols of Azerbaijan Democratic Republic.

“On October 18, 1991, the Supreme Council of Azerbaijan adopted the Constitutional Act “On the State Independence of the Republic of Azerbaijan’. According to this Act, the people of Azerbaijan regained their independence.

“The restoration of state independence was not merely a product of historical reality, but of the yearning for independence and struggles for freedom of the people of Azerbaijan. Azerbaijan achieved independence under difficult socio-economic conditions and at a time when our people were going through dreadful ordeals.

“Shortly after regaining independence, our people came face to face with the threat of losing it again. But national leader Heydar Aliyev`s returning to power in 1993 marked a turning point in the situation. On June 15, 1993, Heydar Aliyev was elected as chairman of the Supreme Soviet of the Republic of Azerbaijan. On October 3, 1993, Heydar Aliyev was elected as President of the Republic of Azerbaijan. Independent state building, ensuring security and territorial integrity, restoration of the economy, democratic development, establishment of international relations of Azerbaijan and its integration into the world community were the key priorities of Heydar Aliyev’s national development strategy.

“The economy in the country was rebuilt based on market economy principles, allowing our country to integrate into the world economy. As the top international companies, especially engaged in oil, were engaged in the development of hydrocarbon resources in Azerbaijan, the foundation for sustainable development was laid in the country.

“Today, Azerbaijan is one of the world’s most competitive countries, and the enormous projects Azerbaijan has implemented jointly with its partners have redrawn Eurasia’s energy and transportation map.

“... At the plenary session of the Azerbaijani parliament on October 15, 2021, a new bill “On Independence Day” was adopted. On the same day, President Ilham Aliyev approved the bill “On Independence Day.”

With the approval of the bill, October 18 – State Independence Day was renamed as the Day of Restoration of Independence,” says the statement.