5 years have passed since the appointment of Mehriban Aliyeva as Vice President, APA reports.

Mehriban Aliyeva was appointed First Vice President of the Republic of Azerbaijan on February 21, 2017 by the order of President Ilham Aliyev.

The establishment of the First Vice-Presidential Institute in Azerbaijan was an important part of the constitutional reforms implemented in 2016 at the initiative of President Ilham Aliyev.

The main purpose of the constitutional reforms was to improve public administration in the country and to prepare a legal basis for the effective implementation of democratic changes.

As First Vice President, Mehriban Aliyeva focused on solving social issues and problems of the poor. The care of the families of martyrs, war invalids, IDPs, children with disabilities, low-income families is always at the center of his attention.

The past has shown that this step is successful. The establishment of the first vice-presidential institution is systemic institutional reform. The appointment of Mehriban Aliyeva as First Vice President has a say in this matter.

One of the main conditions for Mehriban Aliyeva’s success as First Vice President is her activity as long as she has been appointed to this post, especially her successful work as President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation. As a peacekeeping ambassador of UNESCO and ISESCO, he successfully represents our country in Europe and Asia. The holding of the 43rd session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee in Azerbaijan is a historic achievement of Mehriban Aliyeva. Mehriban Aliyeva’s contribution to dialogue and cooperation between religions and civilizations, the promotion of tolerance and multiculturalism in Azerbaijan, as well as the promotion of Azerbaijani tolerance and multiculturalism in the world are unparalleled.

As a result of his high organizational skills at international sports and music events such as the European Games, Islamic Solidarity Games and Eurovision in Azerbaijan, Azerbaijan’s image as a progressive country in the world has strengthened. The Heydar Aliyev Foundation’s services in restoring churches and holy places in the Vatican and France under the leadership and initiative of Mehriban Aliyeva have also strengthened Azerbaijan’s reputation.

Under the leadership of President, Supreme Commander-in-Chief Ilham Aliyev, during the 44-day Patriotic War and its aftermath, it was confirmed that Azerbaijan did not rely solely on brute force. At the same time, the soft power of our country is strengthening and Mehriban Aliyeva is playing an active role in the success of the process.

Note that Mehriban Arif gizi Aliyeva was born in Baku in 1964.

In 1981, she graduated from secondary school No. 23 in the city of Baku with distinction and entered Azerbaijan State Medical Institute named after Nariman Narimanov, Preventive-Treatment Faculty.

In 1988, she graduated from the First Moscow State Medical Institute named after M.Sechenov with distinction.

In 1988-1990, she passed clinical residency in the Eye Diseases department at the First Moscow State Medical University named after I. M. Sechenov.

In 1990-1995, she worked at the Eye Diseases Scientific Research Institute in Moscow.

In 1995, Mehriban Aliyeva founded “Azerbaijani Culture Foundation”, which she currently heads.

In 1996, Mehriban Aliyeva founded “Azerbaijan – Heritage” magazine, which is published in three languages (Azerbaijani, English and Russian) in order to widely promote the Azerbaijani culture.

In October 2002, Mehriban Aliyeva was elected as President of Azerbaijan Gymnastics Federation.

Mehriban Aliyeva has headed the Heydar Aliyev Foundation since 2004, which was founded to study the rich political legacy and promote the national statehood ideas of national leader of Azerbaijan Heydar Aliyev.

In August 2004, Mehriban Aliyeva was named Goodwill Ambassador of UNESCO for her role in protection and development of Azerbaijan’s intangible folk literature and national musical legacy.

In December 2004, Mehriban Aliyeva was elected as a member of the Executive Committee of NOC at the 4th General Assembly of the National Olympic Committee (NOC) of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

Mehriban Aliyeva has been a member of the New Azerbaijan Party’s Political Council since 2004, and deputy chairman of the party since 2013.

In 2005, Mehriban Aliyeva received an academic degree of PhD in Philosophy.

In 2005, 2010 and 2015, Mehriban Aliyeva was elected as a Member of Parliament at the third, fourth and fifth convocation of the Milli Mejlis of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

In November 2006, Mehriban Aliyeva was named Goodwill Ambassador of ISESCO for her outstanding contribution to humanitarian area, including the development of dialogue among civilizations and cultures, promotion of Islamic cultural legacy and for her tremendous role in addressing problems of children with special needs.

At the 4th Congress of the World Azerbaijanis held in Baku in June 2016, Mehriban Aliyeva was elected as a member of the World Azerbaijanis Coordination Board.

On February 21, 2017, Mehriban Aliyeva was appointed as First Vice-President of the Republic of Azerbaijan. This terminated her power as a Member of Parliament of the Republic of Azerbaijan on March 6, 2017.

Mehriban Aliyeva is married, and has two daughters, a son and five grandchildren.

Source: Azeri-Press News Agency