Speech of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Heydar Aliyev at the reception held by the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany to Azerbaijan on the occasion of the national holiday of Germany, Unification Day - October 3, 1997

 

 

Distinguished Mr. Ambassador!

Ladies and gentlemen!

I congratulate you on the occasion of the national holiday, the 7th anniversary of the unification of Germany. I wish the German people peace and welfare.

The unification of Germany seven years ago was a very remarkable event in the history of this country and life of the German people. This event was remarkable also for Europe and the whole world as well. Finally, this event fulfilled the wish and desire of all the German people. At the same time, it was a very useful and important event for the establishment of peace and security in Germany.

Being aware of the pains of the division of the nation, the people of Azerbaijan met the unification of Germany with great satisfaction and I once more congratulate you on the occasion of this holiday on behalf of the Azerbaijani people.

In these seven years, serious great economic, political and social changes had taken place in the life of the unified Germany, especially in its eastern part.

I congratulate all of you on the occasion of these achievements. I want to declare that we want to see Germany as a unified and powerful state in the center of Europe. At the same time, we believe that Germany and German people will be faithful to human values, democratic principles and protection of human rights and will be a guardian of peace and security in Europe and the world as well.

Diplomatic relations were established between Germany and Azerbaijan after Azerbaijan gained its independence. I note with satisfaction that, indeed, shortly after it Germany opened its embassy in Azerbaijan and the German Embassy in Azerbaijan and the Azerbaijani Embassy in Germany function successfully now. As a result of it, a close cooperation exists between Germany and the independent Azerbaijan in almost all the spheres. We highly appreciate this cooperation and we shall try to expanded it in future.

The talks which I held during my visit to Germany in May of the last year, our meetings with the German Federal Chancellor Helmut Kohl, Federal President Roman Herzog, Foreign Minister Mr. Kinkell contributed to development of our contacts in Germany, international organizations and as well as in Azerbaijan.

The unchangeable position and policy of Germany on the inviolability of the sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence of every member state of the world community always gladdens us. We especially highly appreciate the just position of Germany based on the principles of the international law in the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict. As a member of the Minsk Group of the OSCE, Germany makes effort for the settlement of the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict. I once more especially note the attention paid by the German government to this issue recently.

Our cooperation with Germany in the Lisbon Summit of the OSCE has a special place in our contacts. Namely because of this cooperation and support of the German government the Lisbon Summit adopted the principles on the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. I am very satisfied with the German government`s recent statements about the stubbornness of these principles. We can note it with great satisfaction that the members of the Minsk Group, the Russian Federation, USA and France did much and suggested new proposals in this sphere after the Lisbon Summit of the OSCE. The implementation of these proposals can contribute to the settlement of the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict. We don`t doubt that Germany will cooperate with us and we shall enjoy its support further for the settlement of this issue, which is most important for Azerbaijan.

The present situation of economic contacts between our countries is also satisfactory. But they are not at the necessary level taking into account the opportunities both of Germany and Azerbaijan. I think that the both parties must use the available opportunities more efficiently. We take necessary steps in this sphere and we shall do it further.

The beginning of the activity of "Deminex" company together with the other companies in one of the oil deposits of Azerbaijan is a very remarkable event. I suppose that our negotiations with other German companies will also give results and our economic cooperation expand further. The German-Azerbaijani contacts have a great future. We believe in it and will do our best to change this future to reality in Azerbaijan.

Distinguished Ambassador, you reminded that October 3 is also remarkable for me. It is right. There are many remarkable days in my life. But two of them are the most remarkable ones. They coincide with the great events in the world. One of them is July 14, the day of the French revolution, Bastille. Second is October 3. This is the day of the unification of Germany. I suppose that it is a good coincidence. Because, I have great respect both for the days of French revolution, day of Bastille, and the unification of Germany. I can only be happy that the remarkable days of my life coincide with these days. Thank you.

I congratulate the friends of Germany and German people on the occasion of this great holiday. I wish good health and welfare to all of you. I wish the German people and government successes in the settlement of all the standing issues. 

"Heydar Aliyev: Our independence is eternal" (speeches, declarations, statements, interviews, letters, appeals, decrees) - Azernashr, Baku-1998, vol.XII, p.268.