Congratulatory address to the Azerbaijani people on the occasion of the 12th November – Day of Constitution - Baku, November 11, 1996


Dear citizens of Azerbaijan! 

On November 12, 1995, our first Constitution which is at decisive importance for our independent state and all the people, was adopted by the national referendum. 

This Constitution is a logical conclusion of the historical development covered by the Azerbaijani people. The constitution creates foundations base and conditions for the maintenance of the rights and freedoms of citizens, protection, and consolidation of our independent statehood, implementation of democratic transformations. The basic features characterizing our Constitution are the reflection of the historical past, the present reality and prospects of the future development of Azerbaijan and its development on universal and national values. 

Within a year after the adoption of the Constitution, the attention of the Azerbaijan has been directed to the adaptation of all the areas of the life of the republic to this Constitution and to the realization of the main requirements which derive from it. Constitution forms the basis of reforms conducted in political, economic and cultural spheres. 

Today the most important duty is assimilate the Constitution deeply and use the guarantees granted by it. Everyone is obliged to obey the Constitution and laws strictly, to carry out the duties of the state and society properly, to participate in the process of construction of a democratic, legal and secular state building in the country. 

I wish to express the confidence that each citizen of our republic will do his best for the implementation of the supreme law of the state and for the establishment of a developed civil society in the independent Azerbaijan. 

Dear compatriots! 

I congratulate you cordially on the Day of Constitution, wish all of you good health, happiness and wish each of you great successes on a way of development and progress of our independent state. 

Heydar Aliyev,

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan