The reissued 14th volume of the multi-volume series “Heydar Aliyev: Our Independence Is Eternal”, which reflects the political legacy of National Leader Heydar Aliyev and his efforts to establish and strengthen the independent Azerbaijani state, has been added to the Presidential Library collection.

Covering the period from July 13 to October 3, 1996, the volume brings together materials relating to Heydar Aliyev’s visits abroad and meetings with state and government officials, as well as his speeches, addresses, statements, appeals, interviews and letters. It includes materials on meetings held during the official visit of President of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev to Azerbaijan, Heydar Aliyev’s meetings and talks with the Ministers of Defence and Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation during his visit to that country, and his speeches at anniversary celebrations dedicated to Mahammad Fuzuli and Aliagha Vahid. 

One of the significant entries in the volume relates to the press conference held on July 13, 1996, following a meeting with a high-level delegation from the Council of Europe. At the press conference, Heydar Aliyev expressed Azerbaijan’s intention to become a full member of the Council of Europe and stated that practical steps would be taken towards achieving this goal. His remarks reflect the priorities of Azerbaijan’s policy at the time in developing relations with the Council of Europe and pursuing European integration.  

The publication also addresses issues relating to the strengthening of Azerbaijan’s state independence, overcoming the challenges encountered during the transition to a market economy, and the development of agriculture. The volume includes Heydar Aliyev’s speech at a meeting with representatives of the public from the districts of Aghdam, Fuzuli, Gubadli, Zangilan and Jabrayil, in which he addressed efforts to overcome the grave consequences of Armenia’s aggression, as well as the main directions of the country’s domestic and foreign policy.

The 14th volume of the multi-volume series is an important historical source for studying Heydar Aliyev’s political activities and the policies he pursued to establish and strengthen the independent Azerbaijani state. The documents and speeches compiled in the publication provide valuable material for examining developments in Azerbaijan’s political, economic and diplomatic life in 1996, the steps taken to strengthen the country’s international standing, and the key aspects of its state-building strategy.