Azerbaijan`s Embassy to South Korea has organized an official reception on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of restoration of the country`s state independence.

The event brought together Korean high ranking officials, heads of diplomatic missions, representatives of large companies, higher education institutions and think tanks, public and political figures. Addressing the event, Azerbaijani ambassador Ramzi Teymurov provided an insight into the independence history of Azerbaijan. He hailed Azerbaijan's achievements after the restoration of independence and the country's development path under the leadership of national leader Heydar Aliyev and President Ilham Aliyev. Ambassador Teymurov described the first years of independence as very hard times for the county, saying Azerbaijan faced the occupation of neighboring Armenia which resulted in the invasion of Nagorno-Karabakh and seven adjacent regions and in more than one million Azerbaijanis` becoming refugees and IDPs. He said that UN Security Council's four conflict-related resolutions have not been implemented so far.

The Azerbaijani diplomat also highlighed Azerbaijan's accomplishments under the leadership of President Ilham Aliyev, saying with the launch of Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil and Baku-Tbilisi-Erzurum gas pipelines Azerbaijan ensured the delivery of its oil and gas to world markets. Ambassador Teymurov hailed the importance of TAP and TANAP projects in terms of transporting Azerbaijani gas to Europe, as well as Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway project which will play a key role in transit transportation between East and West.

Teymurov noted that Azerbaijan was hailed as a "model country" with its multicultural values, adding representatives of different nationalities and religions have historically lived in an atmosphere of peace and friendship in the country.

"Azerbaijan has become a venue for major international events and sports events in recent years," he added.

The event then featured the screening of a footage on Azerbaijan's accomplishments in the years of independence.

AZERTAC