23 years have passed since the day Ilham Aliyev was first elected President of Azerbaijan

Today marks the 23rd anniversary of the first election of Ilham Aliyev as President of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

On October 1, 2003, national leader Heydar Aliyev said in his address to the Azerbaijani people:

"Addressing you, my compatriots, I call on you to support in the upcoming presidential elections the presidential candidate, my political successor, First Deputy Chairman of the Yeni Azerbaijan Party, Ilham Aliyev. He is a highly intellectual, energetic, and initiative-driven individual with pragmatic thinking, who has an excellent understanding of contemporary world politics and economics. I assure you that both Ilham Aliyev and the Yeni Azerbaijan Party will continue to closely rally around themselves the most worthy sons and daughters of our nation and will do much on the path of developing the Azerbaijani state and the well-being of our people. I believe that with your help and support, Ilham Aliyev will be able to complete the fateful issues and plans that I was unable to bring to conclusion. I trust him as I trust myself and place great hopes in his future."

And so it happened — the people supported the call of the great leader. In the presidential elections held on October 15, 2003, more than 76% of voters voted for Ilham Aliyev and elected him President of Azerbaijan. Thus began a new stage in the development of our country.

Over 23 years of his activity as President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev has fulfilled all promises made to the people. During these years, the accelerated development of our country in all spheres was ensured, the well-being of the people improved, Azerbaijan's political and economic capabilities expanded, a modern army was created, and our country's position on the international stage was strengthened. All international, large-scale projects being implemented in the region today are carried out with the participation of Azerbaijan and with consideration of our national interests.

Under the leadership of President Ilham Aliyev, the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan was fully restored, and the sacred dream of the national leader of liberating our lands was brought to life. During the 44-day Patriotic War, the President of Azerbaijan, Supreme Commander-in-Chief Ilham Aliyev, regularly addressed the nation. These addresses rallied the Azerbaijani people to the struggle, united them as a single fist, and had a significant impact on the course and outcome of the war. Each address became a harbinger of new victories.

Today, under the leadership of President Ilham Aliyev, Azerbaijan is successfully developing economically, construction and restoration work is in full swing in Karabakh, and social programs are being implemented. All of this gives reason to say that Azerbaijan will soon turn Karabakh into a paradise and the former internally displaced persons, expelled from their ancestral lands, will safely return to their homes.