Address of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Heydar Aliyev to the Azerbaijani people on the occasion of November 12, the Constitution Day - Baku, November 11, 1998

Dear citizens of Azerbaijan!

I cordially congratulate you on the occasion of November 12, the Constitution Day.

The first Constitution of the Azerbaijan Republic was adopted by popular referendum on November 12, 1995. Based on our century-old statehood traditions and universal values, this Constitution, which is of vital importance for our nation, has created favorable conditions for the establishment of democratic, legal and secular state.

As a logical conclusion and triumphal reflection of our nation`s historical development and struggle for independence, our Constitution expressed the will of the people, designated the main directions of the activity of our state, the major principles of the process of democratic state building and basic rights and duties of citizens.

While democratization, legal state and civil society are developing in Azerbaijan, implementation of the main provisions of the Constitution and use of opportunities demand great efforts and responsibility from every citizen. Our main task is to adapt the major principles of the Constitution, to implement them and to realize its warranties.

Dear citizens!

I am sure that every citizen, feeling immense responsibility in strengthening our independent state and its progress, will strive to maintain and implement the main provisions of the Constitution in all spheres of our renewing society. I wish you successes and happiness in this activity.

Heydar Aliyev,
President of the Republic of Azerbaijan.
 

Translated from "Azerbaycan" (newspaper), November 12, 1998