His Excellency Mr. Ilham Aliyev, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan

Your Excellency, Mr. President,

We would like to seize this special moment to wish you a very happy birthday and many happy returns.

This has been a momentous year for you and for Azerbaijan. The country has re-integrated the occupied territories, and started the arduous but ultimately gratifying work of rebuilding and restoring the settlements and historic monuments and cities in these territories, as the displaced persons of yore return to relaunch the economic activities and resume their lives. Life is returning to Shusha. Walking with you in these places was a chance to live the historic achievement you accomplished, to see the active rebuilding program under way, and also to experience a communion with the beautiful nature of the region.

We are delighted that the Global Baku Forum 2021 was a great success with so many members of the Nizami Ganjavi International Center (NGIC) “family” coming in person to Baku despite the continuing difficulties with the pandemic. We can hope that next year will be even better. And we seize this moment to also express our profound thanks for the trust and confidence that you have placed in the NGIC and the enormous support you have given us, and continue to generously give to us.

We wish Your Excellency the very best for your birthday, may there be many happy returns, and also please accept our best wishes for the season and the new year.

Sincerely,

Vaira Vike-Freiberga

Co-Chair of NGIC, President of Latvia (1999-2007)

Ismail Serageldin

Co-Chair of NGIC, Vice-President of World Bank (1992-2000)

Rosen Plevneliev

President of Bulgaria (2012-2017)

Amr Moussa

Secretary General of the Arab League (2001-2011)

Petar Stoyanov

President of Bulgaria (1997-2002)

Yves Leterme

Prime Minister of Belgium (2008, 2009-2011)

Zlatko Lagumdzija

Prime Minister of Bosnia and Herzegovina (2001-2002)

Eka Tkeshelashvili

Deputy Prime Minister of Georgia (2010-2012)

Kateryna Yushchenko

First Lady of Ukraine (2005-2010)

Viktor Yushchenko

President of Ukraine (2005-2010)

Filip Vujanovic

President of Montenegro (2003-2018)

Boris Tadic

President of Serbia (2004-2012)

Ivo Josipovic

President of Croatia (2010-2015)

Rovshan Muradov

Secretary General of NGIC