To the staff of the national security agencies of the Republic of Azerbaijan
Dear staff members and veterans of national security agencies!

I cordially congratulate you on the occasion of 90th anniversary of the foundation of national security agencies of Azerbaijan.

As one of the main basics of our statehood, the Ministry of National Security has passed difficult, but at the same time honorable period of development for 90 years of its existence. Established as intelligence and counter-intelligence institution of the Democratic Republic of Azerbaijan on March 28, 1919, this special division started its activity with prevention of the Armenian territorial claims against Azerbaijan and genocide policy against Azerbaijanis, as well as neutralization of different kinds of provocations within the country. During the following period implementing the policy of the Soviet state, security agencies acted as repressive institutions against the national values and persons devoted to such values.

In the period of his leadership to the security agencies, National Leader Heydar Aliyev with the view of future of Azerbaijan realized some vital measures for the purpose of formation of the special services on basis of national fundamentals, protection of national interests and revival of self-consciousness of the Azerbaijani people.

After restoration of the state independence in 1991, Azerbaijan faced with the military occupation of Armenia, separatism and risk of loose of its statehood, deep political and economical crises, activation of illegal armed gangs and criminal groups, and problems emanating from the incompetence of senior officials of the country. Under this conditions assuming the political leadership of the country on the insist of the people, National Leader Heydar Aliyev saved country from the civil war, achieved the restoration of the rule of law and socio-political stability, laid the solid foundation of the democratic, jural state.

Taking into account significance of security agencies in protection of national interests, the great leader always concerned to their activity with special attention and care. He defined the basic priorities of the national security policy of independent Azerbaijan, carried out radical reforms in activity of special services, and founded the Academy of National Security for regular modernization and strengthening manpower potential.

Today the national security agencies have achieved the important successes in ensuring of political-economical interests of Azerbaijan, protection of constitutional order, in the fields of intelligence and counter-intelligence, struggle against the transnational organized crime and in other spheres. Actions taken by the security agencies with a view of prevention of destructive activity of foreign special services and some individuals against the vital interests of Azerbaijan, creation of favorable conditions for realization of internal and foreign policy of the country, the work conducted by them in the global information space against the Armenian aggression, struggle against terrorism, and the transnational organized crime have got more effective and systematical character.

Threats emanating from processes of globalization for the universal peace and security pose before the national security agencies such important tasks as protection of the state independence and territorial integrity of Azerbaijan, to ensure its security and democratic stability, more effective organization of activity in the field of struggle against terrorism, religious extremism and separatism.

With a view of the duly and effective response to the challenges of XXI century significant work has been done on modernization of material and technical basis of the Ministry of National Security, strengthening of social protection of its employees, and increase of their professionalism and care of the state to special services will continue henceforth. And it even more raises the responsibility of the national security agencies.

I am confident that, security agencies will adequately consult with all tasks, our officers trained in the sprite of national statehood will demonstrate patriotism, courage and boundless devotion to the Motherland.

Once again, I congratulate your on the occasion of 90 years anniversary, I wish you successes for the sake of security and strengthening of power of our state.

ILHAM ALIYEV
PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF AZERBAIJAN

Baku, March 28, 2009