The Republic of Bulgaria is among the countries, with which Azerbaijan maintains friendly relations. On July 5, 1992 a Protocol on the establishment of diplomatic relations was signed between the two countries. In June 1995, during the state visit paid the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Heydar Aliyev to Bulgaria, an Agreement on Friendly Relations and Cooperation was the beginning of a new stage in the development of the bilateral dialogue. Over the following years, the already established friendly relations deepened under Heydar Aliyev.

The President of the Republic of Bulgaria, Georgi Parvanov paid an official visit to Azerbaijan on October 7, 2004. President Ilham Aliyev paid a return visit to Bulgaria on September 25, 2005. Bulgaria’s Prime Minister Sergey Stanishev made an official visit to Azerbaijan 11–12 November 2007. In November 2006, President of the National Assembly, Georgi Pirinski also visited Azerbaijan. Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov made an official visit to Bulgaria on 17–18, 2008 to further boost the traditionally friendly bilateral relations.

There are unusual people, who through their personal power and acts influence the development of social events, facilitating the development of the civilization and playing an enormous role in moments, crucial to the nation, becoming historic figures even in their lifetime. Such an outstanding figure was Heydar Aliyev, whose 85th anniversary is commemorated both in Azerbaijan and a number of other countries. 

For the firs time, Heydar Aliyev was elected First Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Azerbaijan in July 1969. His appointment as leader of the Republic aimed at boosting all the industrial sectors in the country. Under Aliyev, until he was appointed to the post of the First Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of the USSR, Azerbaijan succeeded to rank among the first most flourishing of the 15 republics of the Soviet Union. In the Republic, 22 million square metres of housing were constructed; 250 plants opened doors; substantial achievements were reported in the agrarian sector. The developing economy raised the standard of living of the citizens. All the spheres of the national culture developed; the capital as well as such Azerbaijani cities as Sumgait, Ganja, Mingachevir, Ali Bayramli changed dramatically. Science and educational system were developed to secure a better future. A number of higher educational establishments were set up: the Institute of Foreign Languages and the Civil Engineering Institute; the Azerbaijani Academy of Sciences expanded. It was his idea to establish for the first time ever a Military Lyceum, which was named after Jamshid ?Nakhchivanski.

The election of Heydar Aliyev in 1982 as member of Politburo of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Soviet Union and appointment to the post of the First Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of the USSR came as a recognition of his contribution to the development and prosperity of the Republic and its citizens.

His comeback to power in 1993 took place in a period of hard times for Azerbaijan amid growing tensions on the Karabakh front, imminent threat of civil war, economic and political slump and threat to the independence of the young Republic. Azerbaijan succeeded to cope with the critical situation, achieving prosperity and stability.  

Now the Republic of Azerbaijan is a full-fledged member of a number of international organizations: the Council of Europe, the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, UN, the GUAM Organization for Democracy and Economic Development, the Organization of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation.

On September 20, 1994 Azerbaijan signed a Contract with a Consortium of major oil companies on exploitation the oil fields of the country and transportation of the Azerbaijani oil to the world markets. The contract, which has a sophisticated structure, consists of two parts: global and local. Geopolitics is the core of the global part. That was where Heydar Aliyev focused his attention. 

Without emotions and populism, analysing all the pluses and minuses, taking into consideration all the hidden agendas, the geopolitical situation and the international oil business fluctuations, he conceded to the signing of the Contract in the right moment.

Now the Baku–Supsa, Baku–Novorossiysk and Baku–Tbilisi–Ceyhan pipelines, the latter of which has been named after Heydar Aliyev, transport oil from the country. The project came to fruition as a result from the efforts of the national leader and the independent oil strategy of Azerbaijan. The construction of the Baku-Erzurum gas pipeline was launched in his days; it was completed and put into commission in 2007.

In the days, when Heydar Aliyev ran the country, a number of bilateral and multilateral mutually beneficial agreements were signed and today, the Republic of Azerbaijan maintains good relations with the rest of the countries across the world.

In Azerbaijan Heydar Aliyev is highly honoured as the founding father of the independent Republic of Azerbaijan, whose efforts have helped the country develop steadily and dynamically, enjoying good outlooks.

The Bulgarian Diplomatic Review magazine is much obliged to the Embassy of the Republic of Azerbaijan for the materials placed at our disposal