May 28 is the Independence Day of the Republic of Azerbaijan, which gained state independence on May 28, 1918 as the first democratic republic in the Muslim world.
Although due to the Soviet occupation, the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic existed for only 23 months, the measures taken during the first republic were of great importance in building the foundations of statehood of democratic Azerbaijan and determining the path of future development. The affirmation of the fundamental rights and freedoms of all citizens, regardless of their ethnicity, religion and political affiliation, the granting of the right to vote to women in 1918 much earlier than in most European countries, clearly characterize the scale, essence and meaning of the policy pursued by the government of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic.
The Azerbaijan Democratic Republic collapsed after the Soviet occupation in April 1920, but the will of the Azerbaijani people for freedom could not be broken. As a result of the ideas of national freedom that flared up in the late 1980s, the people asserted their right to pursue the cherished goal of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic. The Constitutional Act "On the State Independence of the Republic of Azerbaijan", adopted on October 18, 1991, refers to the Declaration of Independence of May 28, 1918 and lays the foundations of the modern Republic of Azerbaijan - the successor of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic.
These were difficult times when Azerbaijan faced the danger of losing its restored independence, seriously undermined by the armed aggression and military occupation by neighboring Armenia of 1/5 of the internationally recognized territories of Azerbaijan. Large-scale political, economic and military reforms, as well as a precisely developed development strategy, turned the independent Republic of Azerbaijan into a strong state with growing economic development and political influence. As a result of the measures taken to preserve and strengthen its independent statehood, the Republic of Azerbaijan managed to liberate its territories from 30 years of military occupation and restore its state sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Modern Azerbaijan is increasingly perceived as a secure, stable and sustainable force in the region and a reliable and trusted partner in the world. Azerbaijan defends its interests, both in bilateral and multilateral forums, to build peaceful coexistence and mutually beneficial relations, engaging its partners with respect and goodwill.