Dear fellow countrymen!
Dear compatriots! {nl}

Warmly I welcome you and extend the kindest wishes on the eve of December 31 - Day of Solidarity of World Azerbaijanis which awakes in each of us great pleasure and sincere feelings.

Existence of the independent Azerbaijani state opens ample opportunities for even greater strengthening of national unity and organizational formation of our compatriots. At the same time, our compatriots living abroad also try to render direct assistance to development of our country, to solution of arising problems. Efficiency of this assistance is possible thanks to strong unity and good organizational coming-to-be of our compatriots. The Azerbaijani state attaches therefore great importance to Diaspora building and renders all-round assistance to this process. It is pleasant that the idea of Azerbaijanism, national-spiritual value gradually start up more and more deep roots among our compatriots abroad. Taking important positions in political, cultural and business life of the countries they live, they simultaneously make contribution to popularization of Azerbaijan on the world, propagation of our material and spiritual heritage, suppression of ideological provocations against our country. I consider that our Diaspora organizations should necessarily make further efforts in this area, to combine their mental potential with material resources, to expand ties with our diplomatic corps in foreign countries. Next year the III Congress of Azerbaijanis of the World will take place in Baku. I am convinced that at the congress it will be deeply analyzed activity of the Diaspora organizations, and the made decisions will stimulate to strengthening of organizational flexibility of our compatriots.

Growth of political, economical, socio-cultural power and dynamical development of the Azerbaijani state is a wish of Azerbaijanis of the whole world. In the outgoing 2010 all planned programs have been successfully realized. The powerful potential of development created in our country, effective control system allows our state with honor to overcome difficulties.

Currently there is a stable and healthy socio-political condition in our republic. The recently passed November parliamentary elections once again have shown triumph of the political policy of national leader Heydar Aliyev, political maturity and organization of our society.

Despite the achieved successes, we have not to forget that we still live in war conditions. Today we don`t have a problem more important, than restoration of territorial integrity of our country. This is our national cause. This factor induces us to increase defensibility of our state, show special attention to strengthening of armed forces. And to prevent repeated bloodshed, destructions and humanitarian disasters all of us still aspire to peaceful settlement of the Armenia-Azerbaijan, Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. But the position of principle of Azerbaijan on this question remains invariable: Nagorno Karabakh is an integral part of Azerbaijan, and the conflict should find its settlement within the territorial integrity of our country.

With pride I can tell that today Azerbaijan is stronger than ever. Our force is measured not only by economic and military power, but also by close unity. Therefore, no difference where we live, ideas of national unity and solidarity as basic values uniting us, should dominate in consciousness of each of us.

Dear brothers and sisters!

The World Azerbaijanis Solidarity Day reflects love of our compatriots to the Motherland, their respect for history and culture of the people, devotedness to the state and ideas of Azerbaijanism. I cordially congratulate all of you on this holiday, and wish you happiness, welfare and successes in all activities!

Ilham Aliyev,
President of the Republic of Azerbaijan
City of Baku, December 24, 2010