The Autonomous Republic, which emerged from the blockade with the rescue of Heydar Aliyev, is experiencing the triumph of the modern renaissance thanks to the leadership of Ilham Aliyev
A grand celebration is taking place in Nakhchivan, our ancient homeland, which is of strategic importance for the Turkic world, located at the junction of East and West, on the great Silk Road. The autonomous republic, which has entered a new era of modern development, is celebrating its 100th anniversary.
As emphasized in the decree “On the celebration of the 100th anniversary of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic” signed by President Ilham Aliyev on December 30, 2023, the land of Nakhchivan occupied a worthy place in the rich centuries-old past of Azerbaijan and played a unique role in its social, political, scientific and cultural life.
Anniversary contribution of the president
The city of Nakhchivan was the capital of the Atabays-Eldegiz state of Azerbaijan and gained wide fame as one of the important centers of science, culture and craftsmanship of the Islamic civilization. The relics of the school of architecture founded by Ajami Nakhchivani that have survived to this day add a special color to the appearance of Nakhchivan. Nakhchivan has contributed to the progress of Azerbaijani statehood, culture and science with its outstanding personalities over the centuries.
The document also notes that, although the choice of its strategic position has historically turned Nakhchivan into an arena of intense political struggles, this land has resolutely overcome all the trials it faced.As a result of Armenia’s territorial claims against Azerbaijan, even when Nakhchivan was in complete isolation and heavy blockade for a long time, the heroic population saved this ancient Azerbaijani land from the threat of occupation and demonstrated self-sacrifice for the sake of restoration, preservation and strengthening of national statehood through bold steps taken for the independence of our country.
President Ilham Aliyev’s order on the approval of the “State Program for the socio-economic development of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic for the years 2023-2027” signed on July 5, 2023 is considered a road map of the progress of Nakhchivan in the new stage. It is the result of this that currently the autonomous republic is successfully implementing state programs and infrastructure projects, closely participating in increasing the country’s economic power and strengthening its intellectual potential.
Nakhchivan is one of the places where prestigious international events are held. As part of Azerbaijan’s environmental protection activities, the autonomous republic has been declared a “green energy” zone.
In the footsteps of history
Nakhchivan, the ancient land of Azerbaijan, is one of the first human settlements on Earth where life began. The people of Azerbaijan have created an ancient and rich culture in this land. Nakhchivan is also one of the oldest cultural centers in the world. Like other regions of Azerbaijan, Nakhchivan, which is closely connected with Ancient Eastern civilizations, has left a deep mark in the course of historical development. The rich historical, scientific and cultural heritage of the Azerbaijani people was formed in this land.
Historically, Nakhchivan has gone through a complex and at the same time honorable path full of difficult trials, and has been the site of intense political struggles, but despite all this, it has preserved the rich historical and cultural heritage and statehood traditions of our people, and has made important contributions to the social, political and socio-economic life of our country.
The historic Kars Agreement, signed 103 years ago on October 13, 1921, became a historical-legal document ensuring that Nakhchivan remained part of Azerbaijan. The signing of this document and the granting of autonomy status to Nakhchivan is also an important stage in the history of our statehood. The Kars Treaty is the logical result of great historical, military-political and diplomatic struggles. Therefore, when talking about this agreement, first of all, it is necessary to pay attention to the necessity of its signing and its historical and political significance.
This agreement was concluded between the Transcaucasian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic and Turkey on October 13, 1921. It was this agreement that created an important historical stage, clearly revealing the picture of the South Caucasus for that period. On October 13 of the same year, within the framework of the fulfillment of the requirements of the Moscow Peace Treaty concluded between the Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic and the Grand National Assembly of Turkey (predecessor of the Republic of Turkey to be established in 1923) on March 16, 1921, Azerbaijan, Armenia and Georgia The peace treaty signed in the city of Kars between the Transcaucasian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic, which included the SSR, and Turkey entered into force on September 11, 1922, and the expiration date has not been determined.
Thus, the Kars treaty established the territory of Nakhchivan and the right of this territory to immunity protected by an international treaty. Article 5 of the contract is directly related to the status of Nakhchivan. The article reads:”the government of Turkey, the Soviet republics of Azerbaijan and Armenia agree on the formation of an autonomous territory under the auspices of Azerbaijan within the borders specified in Annex III of the treaty.”
Mission of rescue and salvation
If we look briefly at the history of the Autonomous Republic celebrating its 100th anniversary, we can see that the Nakhchivan factor played a special role in the political activity of the great leader Heydar Aliyev. First of all, because Nakhchivan has endowed the people of Azerbaijan with a great personality, great leader Heydar Aliyev. The great leader has always paid great attention to Nakhchivan.
The 50-year political period of the autonomous republic is connected precisely with the name of the genius person. In particular, the presence of the national leader in Nakhchivan in 1990-1993 saved not only Nakhchivan, but also Azerbaijan from a great danger.
First of all, let’s emphasize that the years when Heydar Aliyev led Azerbaijan during the Soviet era were a period of growth in the life of the republic, including Nakhchivan. In the early 1970s and early 1980s, a great revival took place in the socio-economic, political and cultural life of Nakhchivan. At that time, a period of rapid development was observed in Nakhchivan, as in every other part of Azerbaijan.
Under the leadership of the Great Leader, Azerbaijan was at the forefront of the Soviet space in the early 1980s, and great social construction works were being carried out in Nakhchivan as well. As a result of the complex construction works started in 1969, the development of the industrial, construction-construction and agro-industrial complex in the autonomous republic was achieved, and the processing and production network expanded. In the city of Nakhchivan, factories of glass and aluminum containers, knitwear factory, tobacco-fermentation and meat-milk factories, canning factories in Ordubad and Sharur regions were built and put into operation. In general, in order to increase the development prospects of the region, more than 250 enterprises of various purposes were created, employment provision and improvement of social welfare of the population was achieved, and 35 thousand square meters of living space was put into use every year in the city of Nakhchivan and in the regional centers.
In 1987, Heydar Aliyev was removed from the ranks of the supreme leadership of the USSR. The current leadership of Azerbaijan could not understand the political meaning of this step. History has done its job. Immediately after the removal of Heydar Aliyev from power, an aggressive separatist movement for the secession of Nagorno-Karabakh from Azerbaijan began. After that, Armenia, to which the leadership of the USSR provided comprehensive assistance, started an aggressive war against Azerbaijan.
Unfortunately, after Heydar Aliyev’s move to Moscow, Nakhchivan, as in all Azerbaijan, experienced a period of decline. All the successes achieved gradually declined, and a very difficult period began for the Autonomous Republic. The late 1980s became a real test period for Nakhchivan. Fortunately, under the leadership of the Great Leader, the people of Nakhichevan managed to overcome this difficult test with honor.
It was in the early 1990s that the fate of Nakhchivan was decided. If Heydar Aliyev had not been in Nakhchivan in those years and the people of Nakhichevan had not been closely united around the Great Leader, The Fate of the autonomous republic would probably have been very difficult. Because the Armenian nationalists had already begun their aggressive policy against Azerbaijan, and their insidious plans included the occupation of Nakhchivan. At that time, the situation in Nakhchivan remained stable due to great difficulties.
During his visit to Turkey from March 22 to 24, 1992, the “Protocol of cooperation between the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic of Azerbaijan and the Republic of Turkey” was signed, and the construction of the Saderak-Dilucu bridge was started to ensure traffic between Nakhchivan and Turkey.
On May 28 of the same year, the Saderak-Dilucu bridge, which is considered a symbol of the development of economic, cultural, social and political relations between the two countries, was put into use. With the opening of the bridge, the heavy consequences of the blockade in Nakhchivan were gradually removed, the material well-being of the population improved, the autonomous republic was introduced to the world, and its integration into the West began. At the same time, it gave impetus to the development of the eastern provinces of Turkey, and determined a new direction for the development of transport links and international transportation.
As always, the people of Nakhchivan, showing their wisdom, united tightly like a fist around the Great Leader and gave a solid answer to the Armenian invaders. The Great Leader’s determination, wisdom, courage, and the trust of the people of Nakhchivan created a favorable opportunity to get out of this difficult ordeal.
Revolutionary changes took place in Nakhchivan thanks to the unparalleled services of the Great Leader. At the suggestion of the Great Leader, the words “Soviet socialist” were removed from the name of the autonomous republic. In Nakhchivan, for the first time in the 1990s, the flag of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic was accepted as the state flag, and a petition was raised before the Supreme Assembly of Azerbaijan to approve this flag as the official state flag. In 1991, Nakhchivan did not participate in the illegal referendum held for the preservation of the Soviet Union. In other words, these steps determined the state independence of Azerbaijan in the subsequent period. In those years, the Great Leader showed determination, courage, and how much he was attached to his people and nation. This meant that for the Great Leader, the interests of the state and the interests of Azerbaijan are above all else. Against the background of all this, Nakhchivan came out of difficult trials and started on the path of development.
In a word, the steps taken by the genius leader in the path of national independence in those years not only protected Nakhchivan, but also, as a whole, laid the foundation for the liberation history of the Azerbaijani people.
Victory pride of the flag raised by Heydar Aliyev in Nakhchivan
Today, Nakhchivan has developed rapidly in all areas and has literally risen to the level of the renaissance stage.
By the order of President Ilham Aliyev, the establishment of the Institute of the President’s Authorized Representative in Nakhchivan and the successful implementation of purposeful reforms ensured the start of a new stage of development in the autonomous republic.
The “State Program for the socio-economic development of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic for 2023-2027” approved by the head of state is a very important document that conditions the modern development of our ancient homeland. Looking at the projects provided in the Detailed Action Plan of this state program, it is clear that there will soon be revolutionary innovations in the socio-economic and cultural life of the autonomous republic.
The most convenient and appropriate implementation mechanisms and financial sources for the implementation of the development strategy reflected in the state program were determined in 11 directions. During the political and economic evaluation and forecasting of the development of the autonomous republic, scientific principles were also referred to.
This important document will enable the emergence of a new Nakhchivan at the current stage. According to the Action Plan – a new bridge will be built on the Araz River on the Azerbaijan-Turkey state border, a Free Economic Zone will be created, exemptions from taxes and customs duties will be applied, new agro and industrial parks will be created, theme parks will be built in Batabat and Ordubad, a tram line will be built in Nakhchivan, new renewable energy (mainly solar) stations, as well as thermal power stations will be built, and historical-architectural monuments will be identified to be included in the main list of UNESCO’s material cultural heritage.
Of course, all this is a practical expression of President Ilham Aliyev’s great care and support for ensuring the modern development of Nakhchivan, which is an integral part of Azerbaijan. Implementation of the projects envisaged in the state program will ensure the modern progress of Nakhchivan.
The historical reality is that Mr. Ilham Aliyev continued the liberation and development mission initiated by the Great Leader from Nakhchivan with determination and confidence and fully restored the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Azerbaijan. Our tricolor flag, which the genius leader raised for the first time in Nakhchivan, is waving over the whole of Azerbaijan today. Mr. Ilham Aliyev made this a reality with the determination of Muzaffar Sarkarda.
We can say with certainty that the state program prepared by President Ilham Aliyev for the sake of modern development of Nakhchivan will give a positive impetus to the rise of the autonomous republic, which is celebrating its 100th anniversary and confidently advancing on the path of development and progress. Nakhchivan will again be chosen due to its higher development dynamics, and in accordance with the state program, the creation of new production enterprises, large industrial facilities, ecotourism network, “green energy” production will further deepen the close integration of the autonomous republic with the countries of the region.
Sattar MOHBALIYEV,
Member of the Milli Majlis, Chairman of Azerbaijan Trade Unions Confederation.
08.01.2024
“Azerbaijan” newspaper