Dr Huseyn Rahimli from the Azerbaijan Embassy being congratulated by South African Human Settlements Director General Alex Moemi at the 108th anniversary of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic (ADR) in Pretoria this week.
The 108th anniversary of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic (ADR) was commemorated in Pretoria this week, with Ambassador Dr Huseyn Rahimli hailing the occasion as “a testament to our nation’s enduring spirit” while pledging deeper cooperation with South Africa.
Speaking to diplomats, government officials, and representatives of international organisations, Dr Rahimli traced Azerbaijan’s historic journey from the founding of the ADR on May 28, 1918 - the first parliamentary republic in the Muslim East and the region’s first democratic, secular state - to its modern achievements as a sovereign nation.
“With the adoption of the Declaration of Independence, the Azerbaijani people laid the foundation for a sovereign state governed by a parliamentary system, declaring their commitment to democratic values, human rights and freedoms,” Dr Rahimli said.
After regaining independence from the USSR on October 18, 1991, Azerbaijan navigated internal instability under National Leader Heydar Aliyev.
