COLUMN
Long Live the Friendship!
STJEPAN MESIĆ I would like to use this opportunity to congratulate the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Mr. Ilham Aliyev, and all the citizens of Azerbaijan on the 100th anniversary of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic
O
n the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the establishment of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic, Stjepan Mesić, the former President of Croatia, took the opportunity to reflect on the relations between the two countries that both cherish their independence. As the former President of the Republic of Croatia and the President of the Croatian-Azerbaijan Friendship Society, I would like to use this opportunity to congratulate the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Mr. Ilham Aliyev, and all citizens of Azerbaijan on the 100th anniversary of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic. One hundred years ago, after the collapse of the Russian empire, the progressive forces of Azerbaijan proclaimed the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic. The Azerbaijan Democratic Republic demonstrated a desire to establish friendly relations with every country, especially with the neighbouring ones. The Republic guaranteed all civil and political rights to all citizens, regardless of their ethnic origin, race or religious affiliation. Due to different historical circumstances, the independence of Azerbaijan lasted only 23 months. In such a short time, the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic has re-affirmed itself as a democratic and regulated country. In May 1920, Soviet troops entered Azerbaijan, making Azerbaijan part of the Soviet Union. The true independence of Azerbaijan was achieved only after the collapse of the Soviet Union, but Azerbaijan had not yet fully integrated a part
10
Focus
AZERBAIJAN 2018
of its territory, although international law is completely on the Azerbaijani side. During my presidential mandate, as the head of the Republic of Croatia from 2000 to 2010, a very fruitful cooperation was established between Azerbaijan and Croatia in all areas: economy, culture, sports and numerous others. Our countries are not neighbours, but this does not prevent us from continuing to develop our cooperation. Despite the distance, the two countries and their peoples have a lot in common. We both belonged to different large communities,
COOPERATION
TODAY, WITH ALL THE ELEMENTS FOR A BROADER COOPERATION BETWEEN OUR FRIENDLY COUNTRIES IN PLACE, WE CAN EXPECT AN EVEN GREATER AND RICHER COOPERATION IN ALL AREAS OF OUR CITIZENS' LIVES and by the end of the 20th century, we achieved our full independence. During the war, Croatia achieved its territorial integrity and complete independence. Today, with all the elements for a broader cooperation between our friendly countries in place, when there is a legal framework and the political will to cooperate, we can expect an even greater and
richer cooperation in all areas of our citizens' lives. Since 1995, and the establishment of diplomatic relations, the Republic of Croatia and the Republic of Azerbaijan have had very good relations. The mutual visits by the highest political officials are very frequent. As president of the Republic of Croatia, as well as after my term in the office, I visited the Republic of Azerbaijan a dozen times, as a head of state and of an economic delegation. At these meetings, we agreed that the two countries had good political relations and economic cooperation to mutual satisfaction. The Croatian-Azerbaijani Friendship Society brings together people who help enrich the cooperation between our friendly countries. A lot of work is being done thought the lectures, scientific conferences and exchange of experience on the topics related to today’s life in Croatia, Azerbaijan and other countries. Thus, on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic and the 100th anniversary of birth of the outstanding Azerbaijani composer Gara Garayev, a classical music concert was held in Zagreb with the support of the Embassy of the Azerbaijan Republic in the Republic of Croatia and the Croatian-Azerbaijani Friendship Society. The event took place in the Great Hall of the Croatian Institute of Music, the oldest concert hall in Zagreb. The concert was conducted by Yalcin Adigozalov, accompanied by the symphony orchestra of Croatian radio and television and pianist Farhad Badalbeyli.
