BAKU: Azerbaijani Parliament has sent a congratulatory letter to President Ilham Aliyev and First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva in honor of Restoration of Independence Day, marked on October 18. The announcement was made by the Speaker of the Azerbaijani Parliament, Sahiba Gafarova, during today's parliamentary session. According to Trend News Agency, the letter is a gesture of recognition for the leadership's role in maintaining the nation's sovereignty and continuing its development. Speaker Sahiba Gafarova recounted the historical significance of the date, noting that the initial steps towards establishing a democratic state in the Muslim East were taken back in 1918. Although the nascent state only lasted 23 months, its legacy was revived in the early 1990s when Azerbaijan faced significant political and economic challenges. The speaker highlighted a critical period in the 1990s when Azerbaijan experienced a severe crisis, compounded by aggressive actions from Armenia. During this tumultuous time, national lead er Heydar Aliyev was called to leadership by popular demand, in June 1993, to steer the country through its difficulties. His leadership is credited with laying the groundwork for the modern, independent nation Azerbaijan is today. The letter from the Azerbaijani Parliament to President Aliyev and First Lady Aliyeva not only commemorates the historical journey of Azerbaijan but also underscores the current administration's efforts in upholding the vision and independence initially sought in 1918 and later restored under Heydar Aliyev's leadership.