Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev on Friday met with a group of the country`s young people on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the First Forum of Azerbaijani Youth.

The president said the 20th anniversary of the First Forum of Azerbaijani Youth will be marked in a few days, noting that the First Forum which took place on the initiative of national leader Heydar Aliyev in 1996 has played a key role in outlining youth policy.

Speaking of Azerbaijan’s history of independence, the head of state said the country and people suffered a lot in the early years when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan and then the Soviet leadership massacred civilians in Baku.

President Ilham Aliyev noted that even in those difficult times Heydar Aliyev spoke out in Moscow against the criminal acts of the Soviet leadership.

The head of state regarded the majority of the problems dominant in the early 1990s as a government crisis, saying that the then-ruling APF-Musavat party was a big plague upon the nation in that period.

“Having grabbed the power forcefully, these forces played a role in the occupation of parts of our lands,” he stressed.

The president said those forces began infighting after coming to power and went into hiding after their removal from power, adding that Heydar Aliyev managed to normalize the situation in the country since 1993.

“A number of foreign powers were moved by the signing of the Contract of the Century thanks to Heydar Aliyev’s efforts. They made several coups attempts in Azerbaijan, but with the people’s support the national leader managed to keep the situation under control,” the president said, noting that the priority issue for the time being is to provide sustainable development and in this respect youth’s efforts and views are of crucial importance.

The head of state advised the young people to keep their national values above all and be principled in issues of morality and patriotism. He also expressed confidence that young people will continue to serve the development of the country.

Then a group of young people received the honorary diplomas of the Azerbaijani president for their fruitful activities in the implementation of the youth policy in the country.

President Aliyev said the movement of volunteers has great future in Azerbaijan, stressing the importance of a wide range of vocational education in the country. He also mentioned that the leading universities of the world are opening their branches in Azerbaijan.

Minister of Youth and Sports Azad Rahimov said several youth houses have been opened in the capital city of Baku and stressed that this process will continue as well.

Director of Public Union “Association of Students in Economics and Management” Maryam Majidova told about the development of informal education, noting the importance of holding intellectual games. President Aliyev in turn expressed support for the idea of holding a number of international intellectual games in the country.

Coordinator of "Model UN" project Elmira Mammadova touched upon the issue of Azerbaijan’s representation in international organizations.

The head of state said that Azerbaijan has high-level relations with all international organizations, including the UN and highly appreciated the representation of young people in international organizations.

Young entrepreneur, member of World Economic Forum`s Global Shapers Community Mushfig Hasanov spoke about the creation of more opportunities for young entrepreneurs.

Foreign relations secretary at “Ganja 2016 – European Youth Capital” organization Aysun Zeynalova highlighted what had been since Ganja was proclaimed the European Youth Capital. The head of state expressed his confidence that Ganja would excellently host the event.

Farhad Hajiyev, executive director of the Youth Foundation under the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, gave information about the projects implemented by the Foundation. President Aliyev said the fund will further receive support and financial assistance.

Chief specialist of the Heydar Aliyev Center, PhD in law Zafig Khalilov raised the issue of involving young people in scientific researches. The president also stressed the importance of this issue.

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