Moscow hosts official reception to celebrate Azerbaijan's Independence Day

The Embassy of Azerbaijan in the Russian Federation held an official reception in Moscow to mark Azerbaijan’s Independence Day and Armed Forces Day.

The event was attended by prominent political and public figures, diplomats, and members of the Azerbaijani diaspora.

In his opening remarks, Azerbaijani Ambassador to Russia Rahman Mustafayev highlighted the enduring legacy of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic (ADR), emphasizing that it had laid the foundations of Azerbaijan’s statehood, including its parliament and national army.

Ambassador Mustafayev noted that the first parliament of the ADR included representatives of various ethnic minorities, including Russians, Armenians, Jews, Germans, Poles, Georgians, and Ukrainians - demonstrating the democratic and inclusive spirit of the republic.

He also emphasized the pivotal role played by National Leader Heydar Aliyev and President Ilham Aliyev in restoring Azerbaijan’s sovereignty. “Thanks to the decisive leadership of President Ilham Aliyev, Azerbaijan has restored historical justice and its territorial integrity,” he stated.

The ambassador drew attention to the scale of ongoing demining efforts in the liberated territories, revealing that approximately one and a half million landmines remain scattered across Azerbaijani lands.

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin extended his congratulations and noted the shared history of victory over fascism. “We will always remember the contribution of all Soviet peoples in defeating Nazism. The role of Azerbaijani sons and daughters in our shared victory is invaluable,” he said.

Galuzin affirmed the deep bonds between the peoples of Azerbaijan and Russia, stating, “We rightfully consider the peoples of those countries as our brothers.” He also emphasized the significance of military strength, calling it “the backbone of any sovereign state.”

The military attaché of the Azerbaijani Embassy spoke about growing defense cooperation between the two countries, noting that 164 Azerbaijani servicemen are currently studying in 17 military academies across Russia.

The evening concluded with a cultural program featuring Azerbaijani musical performances.