In June 1993, Azerbaijan experienced one of the most complex periods in its independence history. Political crisis deepened, civil confrontation threatened, and the future of statehood was seriously questioned. At that time, national leader Heydar Aliyev returned to power at the insistence of the people, saving Azerbaijan from fragmentation and chaos, laying the foundation for stability, development, and state building.
June 15 is celebrated as National Salvation Day in Azerbaijan. Heydar Aliyev also played a crucial role in strengthening strategic partnership with Turkey. His activities and historical services are still remembered with great respect both in Azerbaijan and brotherly Turkey.
On the eve of the next anniversary of National Salvation Day, head of the Turkey-Azerbaijan Interparliamentary Friendship Group of the Turkish Grand National Assembly, MP Shamil Ayrım shared his memories about Heydar Aliyev, how the June 15 events were followed from Turkey, and the national leader's role in the development of Azerbaijan-Turkey relations.
Shamil Ayrım: "My first meeting with Heydar Aliyev was in 1995 during his visit to the Turkish Grand National Assembly. In 1996, on the personal initiative of the national leader, a mausoleum was erected over the grave of Huseyn Javid. Heydar Aliyev invited me to Nakhchivan for the opening. Since then, we have had unbreakable ties."
He noted that when Heydar Aliyev returned to power, he first solved Azerbaijan's internal problems, found a solution to the economic crisis, and laid the foundation for military, political, and diplomatic development.
Ayrım emphasized: "The 'Contract of the Century' signed in 1994 laid the foundation for the development of Azerbaijan's economy. Today, Azerbaijan is a shining star of the Caucasus."
He also highlighted Aliyev's role in Azerbaijan-Turkey relations: "Heydar Aliyev once said that Turkey and Azerbaijan should be so firmly connected that no one can separate us. Today we see clear evidence of that unbreakable bond."
