On 30 June 2026, the Conference Hall of the Presidential Library hosted the presentation of the book “Heydar Aliyev’s Lessons in Statehood and Diplomacy. Volume I” by prominent public figure and Honoured Cultural Worker Aslan Aslanov. The event was attended by government officials, scholars, public and political figures, and representatives of the media.

Opening the event with introductory remarks, the Director of the Presidential Library, Professor Afet Abbasova, emphasized the book’s scholarly and historical significance for the study and promotion of National Leader Heydar Aliyev’s rich legacy of statehood. It was noted that, as a vivid chronicler of the period, the author takes readers through the complex political and economic landscape of the early years of independence and offers an analysis of the National Leader’s historic mission in safeguarding the country’s independence and statehood.

This was followed by the screening of a video presentation dedicated to the life and activities of National Leader Heydar Aliyev, as well as to the historical period covered by the book.

Professor and historian Dilara Seyidzade, and Members of Parliament Rafael Huseynov, Sayyad Aran, and Hikmat Babaoglu spoke about the significance of the book. The speakers noted that the book focuses primarily on the important steps taken by the National Leader upon his return to power at a critical juncture in the nation’s history to restore internal stability, safeguard statehood, and ensure national unity.

In their remarks, journalist Mikhail Gusman, public and political figure Ali Hasanov, and People’s Writer Elmira Akhundova noted that the book presents, with a high degree of objectivity, the process through which the young republic emerged on the international stage through the far-sighted foreign policy and diplomatic skill of the National Leader. They emphasized that it was this strategy that enabled Azerbaijan to secure its rightful place in the system of international relations and to become a reliable partner in major global projects. 

Jabi Bahramov, Doctor of Philosophy in History and Head of the “History of Western Azerbaijan” Department at the A. A. Bakikhanov Institute of History and Ethnology of the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences, noted that the book is a valuable scholarly study offering an objective and well-founded perspective on an important period in the history of Azerbaijani statehood. 
 
In his remarks, the author, Aslan Aslanov, spoke about the process of preparing the book and noted that its primary purpose was to present to future generations, on the basis of historical facts, the philosophy of statehood, political legacy, and diplomatic achievements of National Leader Heydar Aliyev. 
  
In her closing remarks, the Director of the Presidential Library, Professor Afet Abbasova, expressed her gratitude to the participants in the book presentation and emphasized the important role of scholarly publications of this kind in the study and promotion of the history of Azerbaijani statehood.