The EAJC extended its congratulations to Ilham Aliyev on his victory in the Azerbaijani presidential election

The leadership of the Euro-Asian Jewish Congress congratulated the head of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, on his victory in the presidential election. In a congratulatory telegram, EAJC President Dr. Mikhail Mirilashvili stated the following:

"On behalf of the leadership of the Euro-Asian Jewish Congress and myself personally, please accept our congratulations on your convincing victory in the presidential election. The broad support expressed by the citizens of Azerbaijan demonstrates their commitment to the course of development and prosperity for the Republic and its residents, which you initiated at the beginning of your tenure as Head of State. We wish you a productive and successful seven years of work for the benefit of the Azerbaijani people, and the further strengthening of the Republic's international and regional standing.

Throughout its history, Azerbaijan has consistently proven itself to be a respected, tolerant, multicultural, and multi-confessional state. The combination of tradition and historical heritage on one hand, and openness to the values of the modern world on the other, enables the country not only to conduct a balanced domestic policy but also to strengthen its foreign relations. Today, Azerbaijan is rapidly enhancing its international position and becoming a platform for high-level global cooperation. We, as dedicated proponents and representatives of public diplomacy, recognize this as your personal, Mr. President, significant contribution.

Your courageous step as the first leader of a Shia-majority nation to open an embassy in Israel and to declare Holocaust Remembrance Day an official national memorial day will forever be written in the history of the Jewish State. An extremely important milestone in the relationship between the two nations is Azerbaijan's unconditional support for Israel in our righteous war against the terrorist organization Hamas, which broke out on October 7, 2023, following the treacherous attack of militants from the Gaza Strip on Israel.

For more than three decades, the Euro-Asian Jewish Congress has consistently contributed to deepening Israeli-Azerbaijani cooperation in a wide range of fields, including science. Just last year, the Institute for Euro-Asian Jewish Studies (IEAJS), under the auspices of the Congress, released a monographic report titled 'The Jews of Azerbaijan and the Mountain Jewish Diaspora at the Turn of the Second and Third Decades of the 21st Century.' And this is only the beginning.

Allow me once again to congratulate you on your election to the presidency of the Republic of Azerbaijan and to wish you and the entire Azerbaijani people happiness, prosperity, peace, and well-being!"

Photo: Sue Lowry/ Flickr