Dear compatriots!
I sincerely greet your assembly held in Baku with the aim of establishing national- cultural organization of Georgians living in Azerbaijan, and wish successes to the organization of Georgian community, which you are going to establish, in future activities.
Being the most ancient nations of Caucasus Azerbaijanians and Georgians have always been attached to each other by sincere friendship and good neighborly relations.
Our peoples have lived for thousand years in the same geographic area, and shared all unhappy and happy fate of this land.
In the centruies-old history of the Caucasus there are many glorious pages that witnessed strong friendship and cooperation of our nations. To develop the glorious traditions inherited from our precient ancestors and pass them on to the next generation is our sacred duty .
At the end of the twentieth century, which have been full of global political events, Azerbaijan and Georgia gained their independence, free and souvereign Republics, which are the historical right of our people, pursue domestic and foreign policy, and represent people’s interests properly in the international arena.
Living at extremely responsible historical period Azerbaijani people of Georgia and Georgians living in Azerbaijan properly implement their duties in strengthening our state independence by taking an active part in social and political life of the country of which they are citizens.
Today, in the Republic of Azerbaijan, which confidently steps with building a democratic state, rights and freedoms of each citizen, even of national minorities, irrespective of language , religion and ethnicity , are ensured in accordance with the international norms.
Georgians living in our Republic enjoy the rights set fourth in the Constitution, and they are equal citizens of the Republic of Azerbaijan, too.
At the present time Azerbaijan and Georgia, cooperating in social-political, economic, scientific-cultural fields, demonstrate strategic partnership for prosperious future of our countries.
There is no doubt that the role of public diplomacy and friendly neighbourhood relations between nations is essential. I am sure that Georgian community in Azerbaijan and the national cultural organization that you have founded will effectively contribute to bringing our people together and to our relations based on very rich historical roots.
Dear compatriots!
I express my wish of happiness and prosperity to you, and wish you successes in your goodwill activities for the state independence of the Republic of Azerbaijan and for unbreakable friendship of Azerbaijani and Georgian people.
Heydar Aliyev,
President of the Republic of Azerbaijan.