Foreign diplomats congratulate Azerbaijan on Independence Restoration Day

Heads of foreign diplomatic missions shared congratulatory messages on Azerbaijan's Independence Restoration Day on October 18.

"This year we celebrate the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the United States and Azerbaijan.

Thirty years since Azerbaijan's independence, we have continued to work together on energy security, combating transnational threats, developing bilateral trade and investment, and supporting fundamental freedoms.

Along with the above, we remain committed to ensuring a peaceful and prosperous future in Azerbaijan and the South Caucasus as a whole.

On behalf of the United States, I congratulate the Azerbaijani people on Independence Day," U.S. Charge d'Affaires a.i. Guevara wrote in particular.

British Ambassador to Azerbaijan Fergus Ould published a congratulatory video on the Embassy's website.

"Today is indeed a momentous day in the history of Azerbaijan. Azerbaijan regained its independence 31 years ago. This beautiful country had lived under Soviet rule for 70 years, but it had preserved its culture and values," the Ambassador said.

"Over the past 30 years we have cooperated in various areas such as culture, economy, ecology, education, energy. This cooperation is expanding year by year and the friendship between our countries and peoples is growing stronger. I congratulate you on the occasion of the Independence Day of Azerbaijan," F.Ould said.

German Ambassador Ralf Horlemann noted in his congratulation:

"I would like to extend my sincere congratulations to the Republic of Azerbaijan on the occasion of the 31st anniversary of the restoration of its independence. Happy Independence Day".

Ambassadors of Turkey, Ukraine, Israel, Palestine, France and other countries also delivered congratulatory messages.

October 18 is celebrated in Azerbaijan as Independence Restoration Day.

Azerbaijan's Parliament adopted the Constitutional Act on the Restoration of State Independence on October 18, 1991.

This document declared the Republic of Azerbaijan as the successor of the Democratic Republic of Azerbaijan of 1918-20, which fell as a result of the occupation of Azerbaijan by Bolshevik Russia.

According to the Constitutional Act, all citizens were guaranteed full equality, regardless of national and religious affiliation. Until 2006, October 18 Day was celebrated as a public holiday. However, in 2006 the Parliament amended the legislation to exclude October 18 Day from being a public holiday.