President: "Youths play important role in life of our country"

"Hundreds of thousands of IDPs lived in difficult conditions, and people expelled from their native lands lived in tents, under wagons, and in inappropriate buildings. So, this was a scene at that time. In addition, no regular army was created, and the lack of a regular army led to the defeat in the First Karabakh War. Along with all other external factors and the large foreign financial and military support provided to Armenia, we must note that there was no regular army in Azerbaijan," President Ilham Aliyev said at the Youth Forum held on the 25th anniversary of February 2 - National Youth Day, Report informs.

"In such a situation, Heydar Aliyev established the Youth Day. I remember that some people - I mean those in power - said at that time that now this is not the main issue, there are other important issues facing the country, they must be resolved. But the Great Leader turned to the youth with foresight, invited them, gave them his recommendations and took practical steps to organize and prepare them for future development. If we look at this small historical excursion, we will see how right Heydar Aliyev was. Today, young people, who make up a large part of our society, play a very important role in the life of our country. The initiatives of young people, their work are seen everywhere today, and, of course, the upbringing of a new generation in the spirit of patriotism, loyalty to the state occupies an important place among the services of Heydar Aliyev," the head of state said.