World leaders and heads of international organizations have sent congratulatory letters to President Ilham Aliyev on the occasion of Azerbaijan's Independence Day, celebrated on May 28.
Operative Information Center-OMM reports that the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King of Saudi Arabia Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, expressed his warmest congratulations and best wishes for the health and happiness of the President, as well as for the continued development and prosperity of the government and people of Azerbaijan.
President of the Arab Republic of Egypt, Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, highlighted the deep-rooted friendly relations between the two nations. "I reaffirm my commitment to working closely with you to further deepen and expand our ties in various fields of common interest for the benefit of our friendly peoples," the Egyptian leader stated in his message. Similarly, Czech President Petr Pavel emphasized the strategic importance of cooperation in energy, industry, trade, and investment, noting Azerbaijan's significant role as a partner contributing to stability in the wider region.
Independence Day, celebrated annually on May 28, commemorates the founding of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic (ADR) in 1918, which was the first secular democratic republic in the Muslim world. Although the ADR existed for only 23 months before the Soviet occupation, its legacy remains a cornerstone of modern Azerbaijani statehood. Since the restoration of independence in 1991, Azerbaijan has established itself as a key regional player, particularly in global energy security and as a transport hub between Europe and Asia.
Congratulatory messages were also received from King Philippe of the Belgians, King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden, President of the Republic of Korea Lee Jae-myung, and the leaders of Croatia, Morocco, Malta, Mauritania, South Africa, Lebanon, Thailand, Trinidad and Tobago, and Kyrgyzstan. Australian Governor-General Samantha Mostyn also extended her greetings, expressing gratitude for Azerbaijan's assistance in evacuating citizens from Iran in 2025. Additionally, Pakistani Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif reaffirmed the "unshakable spirit" of the Azerbaijani people and extended an invitation for President Ilham Aliyev to pay an official visit to Pakistan.
