"Today, our country is an initiator and active participant in major regional and global projects. Azerbaijan pursues an independent foreign policy based on its national interests and is recognized as a reliable partner globally," President Ilham Aliyev said while addressing the nation on the 30th anniversary of the restoration of independence.
"In recent years, our economy has more than tripled, a strong economic infrastructure has been created, significant progress has been made in the protection, development, and promotion of our cultural heritage, education, health, and other social spheres, and the well-being of our people has improved significantly. Even though twenty percent of its lands have been under occupation for almost 30 years, with more than one million refugees and IDPs, Azerbaijan has permanently moved forward with confidence towards its goals and has not deviated from its goals," Aliyev noted.