Baku (TDI): Azerbaijan is observing State Sovereignty Day today, following a presidential decree issued in 2024. This rather new state holiday symbolizes a historic achievement in the country’s long-standing quest for independence, justice, and unity.
The annual observance of the day is based on the events of September 19–20, 2023, when Azerbaijani forces conducted a successful operation that brought an end to Armenian occupation of the country’s internationally recognized territories.
This decisive action restored the full legal force of Azerbaijan’s Constitution across all liberated regions, reinforcing the state’s sovereignty in both practice and principle.
Azerbaijan’s path to independence has been marked by resilience and struggle. Despite centuries of foreign domination and hardship, the Azerbaijani people have held firm to their national identity and aspiration to build a sovereign, just, and democratic state.
That dream began to materialize on October 18, 1991, with the adoption of the Constitutional Act “On the State Independence of the Republic of Azerbaijan.”
However, the early years of independence were fraught with instability. From 1991 to 1993, Azerbaijan experienced a political and social crisis, lacking effective governance and rule of law.
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This changed dramatically in 1993, when National Leader Heydar Aliyev returned to power at the people’s request. His leadership brought order, stability, and the foundation for modern state-building.
One of the most pivotal moments in this journey came on November 12, 1995, with the adoption of Azerbaijan’s first Constitution.
Enshrining the values of sovereignty, democracy, human rights, and the rule of law, the Constitution became the legal backbone of the nation.
It also set forth a clear commitment to protecting the country’s independence and territorial integrity, principles that would guide Azerbaijan’s domestic and foreign policy for decades.
For nearly 30 years, Azerbaijan could not exercise sovereignty over 20 percent of its territory due to Armenia’s occupation. The 44-day Patriotic War in 2020 marked a turning point, and by 2023, Azerbaijan had fully reclaimed its lands.
Recognizing the importance of these historic milestones, President Ilham Aliyev signed a decree on December 28, 2024, declaring 2025 as the “Year of the Constitution and Sovereignty.”
This initiative aims to honor the Constitution’s 30th anniversary and celebrate the country’s restored unity.
With its sovereignty fully restored and national interests guiding its path, Azerbaijan continues to pursue its strategic goals with renewed confidence and determination on the global stage.
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