Farid Shafiyev: Azerbaijan - leader in South Caucasus region owing to Heydar Aliyev

Owing to the contribution of National Leader Heydar Aliyev to the economic development of the country, Azerbaijan is currently the leader in the South Caucasus region, said Farid Shafiyev, the Chairman of the Center of Analysis of International Relations (AIR Center), according to Report.

"20 years have passed since Heydar Aliyev's presidency. Historians usually find this period of time insufficient for making assessments. But over those 20 years Azerbaijan has made such a leap forward that today we live in a completely different country," he said.

Shafiyev noted that when Heydar Aliyev came to power in Azerbaijan, he could resolve all the issues of the 1990s, when Azerbaijan faced economic recession, a threat of a civil war and social problems.

"In order to lead the country out of the economic crisis, Heydar Aliyev, owing to his far-sighted policy, started to cooperate with international organizations. The basis of the country's energy strategy was also laid," he said.