Participants in the event included, Members of the Azerbaijan-Colombia Inter-Parliamentary Friendship Group and representatives of both chambers of the parliament, ambassadors of several countries, Colombian Foreign Ministry officials, high-ranking officials of public-political and cultural circles, compatriots living in the country and representatives of mass media, government officials, MPs, and businessmen.
After playing the state anthems of Colombia and Azerbaijan, Chargé d'Affaires of Azerbaijan in Colombia Hamid Zeynalov highlighted the history and accomplishments of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic over the 23 months of its existence. On May 28, 1918 the first parliamentary democracy in the Muslim world - Azerbaijan Democratic Republic was founded with the adoption of Declaration on Independence. The sovereign, territory of the Azerbaijani Democratic Republic was 114,000 square kilometers. Government was formed based on accountability and separation of powers and the Azerbaijani parliament was a democratically elected, multi-party and truly representative legislative body, the first of its kind in the entire Muslim East. In its two-year tenure, the Republic established five executive cabinets and the Parliament held 155 meetings and discussed more than 240 draft laws.
The first major breakthrough in diplomatic relations came when the parliamentary delegation of Azerbaijan, headed by Alimardan Topchubashov, went to Paris with the main goal to gain international recognition for Azerbaijan Democratic Republic. Members of the delegation to the Paris Peace Conference impressed foreign dignitaries with respect to their ideas of liberty, rights and justice. Unanimous de-facto recognition of the independence of Azerbaijan was attained and the Azerbaijani mission received an invitation to the Supreme Council of the Paris Peace Conference.
Once recognition had been established, the government’s focus shifted towards building a competent diplomatic corps.
In 1919, when Azerbaijani diplomacy took its first steps, diplomatic missions of 16 states functioned in Baku, including the USA, Great Britain, France, Italy, Sweden, Switzerland, Belgium, Iran, Poland and Ukraine. Diplomatic missions and General Consulates of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic were established in Turkey, Iran, Georgia, Ukraine, Armenia and other countries.
The Bolsheviks invasion of April 1920 put an end to the independence of ADR. As the successor of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic, the Republic of Azerbaijan restored its independence in 1991. The difficulties faced by the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic, including Armenia’s territorial claims and war against Azerbaijan, geopolitical intrigues, the socio-economic problems engulfed the Republic of Azerbaijan as well since regaining its independence in 1991.
The policies pursued later by the national leader Heydar Aliyev developed the sense of national identity by reviving our deep historical and cultural memory, as well as by instilling a firm conviction for preserving and strengthening our independence and statehood. The Azerbaijani people treasuring the statehood policy of the national leader Heydar Aliyev celebrate the centennial anniversary of their independence this year with the heightened sense of pride and particular spirit of festivity.
Hamid Zeynalov expressed his deep gratitude to Colombia for continuously supporting Azerbaijan's just position on the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and the resolution adopted by the Colombian Senate on the Khojaly genocide. At the end, Hamid Zeynalov said that being an ancient, historical and hospitable country, Azerbaijan proposed its candidacy to host the World Exhibition EXPO-2025. Azerbaijan is a bridge between Asia and Europe and a number of important events have been held in the country, which has an ancient history and rich culture. Mr Zeynalov invited Colombian government to support Azerbijans’s candidacy during the selection process.
As continuation of the event, Colombian Senate`s First Vice President and co-ordinator of Colombia-Azerbaijan Friendship Group Daira de Jesús Galvis Méndez congratulated Azerbaijani people on behalf of the Columbian parliament. Remembering his visit to Baku and meetings in Azerbaijan, Galvis Mendez noted that Azerbaijan has achieved the political stability and the economic development as a result of its big steps in politics. He also mentioned that knowing Azebaijan's growth makes us glad as a friend country. Afterwards senator presented the congratulatory letter on 100th anniversary of ADR signed by the president of Senate Ernesto Macias to Hamid Zeynalov.
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