A ceremony marking the 68th anniversary of victory over fascism in World War II has been held in Baku.
President Ilham Aliyev and his wife Mehriban Aliyeva attended the ceremony.
The Azerbaijani people have made a significant contribution to the historic victory over fascism. Our people, who own huge merits for the historic victory in this war, sent more than 640,000 of sons and daughters to the frontline. Almost half of them were killed in the action. Over 130 Azerbaijani citizens were awarded the title of Heroes of the Soviet Union for their heroism in the war, while more than 170,000 of Azerbaijani soldiers and officers were awarded with various orders and medals.
The 77th, 223rd, 336th, 402nd and 416th national rifle divisions, which were made up of Azerbaijani conscripts and volunteers, displayed exemplary courage in the fights and wrote their names in history with gold letters. Azerbaijani divisions covered a glorious road from the Caucasus to Berlin. The heroic sons and daughters of our republic fought valiantly for Moscow, Leningrad, Kiev, Stalingrad, Simferopol, Odessa and hundreds of other residential settlements. Our countrymen were also closely involved in the liberation of Poland, Czechoslovakia, Yugoslavia and other countries and displayed innumerable examples of heroism in the guerilla movement.
Our people displayed heroism in the fight against fascism not only on the battlefield but also in the rear. The contribution of the oil-rich Baku to the great victory was invaluable. Azerbaijan contributed three quarters of the oil, 85-90 per cent of the aviation fuel and high-quality motor oils produced in the Soviet Union during the war.
The overwhelming majority of tanks and planes of the Soviet army, which played a pivotal role in the victory of the Second World War, operated on the fuel produced by the oil-workers of Baku. Our people also sent more than 7 tons of donor blood to frontline regions and played an important part in the provision of soldiers with food and warm clothes.
The nationwide leader of the Azerbaijani people, Heydar Aliyev, had always treated the problems of war veterans with great care and attention. It is thanks to him that Victory Day has been celebrated in our country since 1994.
This policy of the great leader is continued by President Ilham Aliyev. State care for veterans of the war is one of the main directions of social policy in our country. Clear evidence of this care has been the provision of one-off financial assistance to war veterans and their families on the eve of Victory Day in accordance with a decree of the President.
The historic feats of the sons and daughters of Azerbaijan, who covered a glorious path in the Second World War, as well as the merits of dedicated workers in the rear, will never be cast into oblivion and will serve as a true example of patriotism for the young generation.
War veterans, members of the public and residents of the city, who gathered at a statue of one of the greatest generals of the war of 1941-1945, the valiant son of the Azerbaijani people, Maj-Gen of Tank Troops, twice Hero of the Soviet Union, Hazi Aslanov, respectfully greeted President Ilham Aliyev and his wife Mehriban Aliyev.
A guard of honor was arranged.
Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces and President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev presented the Chairman of the National Council of Veterans, Alovsat Bakhishov, with the "Shohrat" Order. On 1 March 2013, the President of Azerbaijan had signed a decree on awarding Alovsat Bakhishov with the "Shohrat" Order for his active participation in public life of the country and achievements in the patriotic education of the younger generation.
The head of state warmly greeted war veterans and congratulated each of them on Victory Day.
President Ilham Aliyev enquired about the issues of concern for the veterans who have gone through the ordeals of the 1941-1945 war. Noting that they would never forget the care and attention of nationwide leader Heydar Aliyev, the veterans expressed their appreciation to President Aliyev who is successfully continuing the political path of the great leader. They emphasized that they would continue to support the head of state who is working in the name of the country’s development.
Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces and President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev laid a wreath at the statue of twice Hero of the Soviet Union Hazi Aslanov, paid tribute to the memory of the brave commander and other courageous sons of the Azerbaijani people who showed unprecedented heroism in the Second World War.
President Ilham Aliyev had his picture taken with veterans of World War II.
The guard of honor marched in front of the Commander-in-Chief under the accompaniment of a military march.
President Ilham Aliyev also met with a delegation of members of the Russian State Duma attending the ceremony.
Then President Ilham Aliyev met with family members of Maj-Gen of Tank Corps, twice Hero of the Soviet Union Hazi Aslanov, and congratulated them on Victory Day.
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The ceremony was also attended by Prime Minister Artur Rasizadeh, Parliament Speaker Ogtay Asadov, Head of the Presidential Administration Ramiz Mehdiyev and other officials.
