By the mid-1980s, the national leader of Azerbaijan, Heydar Aliyev, became one of the most popular and major politicians in the USSR, military expert, editor-in-chief of the Russian National Defense magazine Igor Korotchenko said during the round table "Heydar Aliyev: his role in the development of the USSR and Russia" in Moscow, Report informs.
The expert noted that Heydar Aliyev initially headed the Azerbaijan SSR, where he achieved strategic breakthroughs in the field of agriculture and the development of science, and, thanks to his personal qualities, was nominated for the post of First Deputy Chairman of the Council of Ministers of the USSR.
Under the control of Heydar Aliyev were 12 ministries of the USSR. He oversaw the most important areas of the Soviet economy - engineering, trade and light industry. He was also in charge of cultural projects. In addition, his signature can be found under the 10 most important resolutions of the Council of Ministers of the USSR.
"As Russian President Vladimir Putin noted, it was thanks to the wisdom of Heydar Aliyev that the foundation of friendship and respect between Russia and Azerbaijan was laid. And today this course is confidently continued by the son of the great father, Ilham Aliyev," Korotchenko said.