On May 10, the Buta Palace hosted a solemn ceremony dedicated to Azerbaijani National Leader Heydar Aliyev's 86th anniversary and the Heydar Aliyev Foundation's 5th anniversary, AzerTag news agency reported.
The Head of State together with his wife Mehriban Aliyeva participated in the ceremony.
The governmental officials and foreign guests attended the event.
Azerbaijani First Lady, President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, Goodwill Ambassador of UNESCO and ISESCO, MP Mehriban Aliyeva made speech at the event and said that Heydar Aliyev's leadership in Azerbaijan relied, first, on patriotism and endless love toward the Motherland.
"Independent Azerbaijan is the result of Heydar Aliyev's victory," Mehriban Aliyeva said.
The First Lady also summed up the five-year activity of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation. Aliyeva said that giant projects were implemented and great attention was paid to the development of fields which concerns society during this period.
President Ilham Aliyev also made speech at the ceremony. The Azerbaijani president stressed the fact that Heydar Aliyev always could eliminate any difficult situation with honor. The head of state added that the National Leader's policy and his ideas are successfully being implemented at the moment.
"We are Heydar Aliyev's successors and will continue to pursue his policy and will lead Azerbaijan forward on his way," the president said.
Ilham Aliyev appreciated a five-year activity of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation and emphasized that the foundation always was close to anyone who needed help and provided them with necessary assistance.
The Heydar Aliyev prize-giving ceremony took place, as well. Sculptor and People's Artist of Azerbaijan Omar Eldarov and Composer and People's Artist of Azerbaijan Arif Malikov were awarded for their special merits. The Heydar Aliyev Premium was conferred on President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation Mehriban Aliyeva for her efficient activity in the socio-political and cultural life of Azerbaijan.