Dear Sisters and Brothers! Dear Friends!
As the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan I pay an official visit with the invitation of the president of the Republic of Georgia. For the last two days we have been surrounded by Georgian hospitality, and we take neccessary measures to strengthen and develop friendly relations between our nations and countries.
I have come here after visiting graves of great Azerbaijani personalities Mirza Fatali Akhundov, Mirza Shafi Vazeh, Fatali Khan Khoysky, and attended the opening ceremony of the monument over the grave of the great person, the Prime Minister of the first Democratic Republic of Azerbaijan, Fatali Khan Khoysky.
This is a Mosque of Azerbaijani Muslims. This is a ‘House of God’, and is sacred. To come to a mosque, to worship and fulfill God’s orders is duty of every Muslim. I am very pleased that Muslims have such a place for worshiping, and their own mosque in Tbilisi in Georgia. Every azberbaijani and every Muslim come, worship, pray and fulfill their Islamic duties in this mosque. This is a big gift. On other hand it shows Georgian people’s pleasant attitude to Azerbaijani nation and to all nations. This shows Georgian people’s very valuable attitudes to other religions. I appreciate it very much.
You, Azerbaijanis living in Georgia, are citizens of Georgia. You do your activities in all spheres of the life of Georgia and you will further do it. I am pleased to note that, my friend, dear Eduard Shevardnadze after being the head of Georgia, the situation of Azerbaijanis living in Georgia has been improved, Azerbaijanians living in Georgia indeed got all rights and gained opportunity how to use these rights. One of your rights is – freedom of conscience and religion.
Now in Azerbaijan and in Georgia, all of human freedoms , including freedom of religion, and freedom of conscience have been fully established.
You, here in the land of Georgia, have preserved your religion as a Muslim so far, and these days you gained wider opportunities to keep your religion alive and develop it. This is the brightest sample of democracy and freedom dominating in Georgia. Therefore I express my gratitude and thanks to Georgian people, the state of Georgia and the President of Georgia on behalf of Azerbaijani people .
I state once more you are citizens of the Republic of Georgia..... All regulations and laws of Georgia are regulations and laws of your life.Your duty is to take an active part in activities carried out in Georgia under the rule of Eduard Shevarnadze.
Taking part in reinforcing statehood and independence of Georgia and in activities caried out for leading Georgia out of this hard situation and to give it your support is your civic duty.
I am very pleased that you live here freely, and you can use your rights and freedom. At the same time I want to note my assuarance that Azerbaijanis living in Georgia will further be able to use their rights and freedoms. As equal citizens of Georgia they will live here and will do their utmost to strengthen the Republic of Georgia.
Friendly and fraternal relations between Georgian and Azerbaijani people have centuries-old history.The relations are stable, up until now we have tried and from now on we will further try to strenghten these friendly relations.
I wish all of you success in your activities. I embrace Azerbaijanis living in Georgia and wish you healthy life and happiness. I wish The Georgian Government to implement the goals set, Thank you.
On the occasion of my visit I present you ‘Koran’ in Azerbaijani language on behalf of me so that you can read it in your language. Accept my present to your mosque and keep it as a memory.
Thank you.
“Azerbaijan” newspaper, March 10, 1996