Menu
Latest
Menu
Latest
News

Mehriban Aliyeva appointed First Vice President of Azerbaijan (Updated 3)

21 February 2017

Updated 20.00 CET / 23.00 Baku

Comments continue to come in from different parts of Azerbaijani society concerning the appointment of Mehriban Aliyeva as !st Vice President. Vetran journalist and director of Turan News Agency, Mehman Aliev, told Meydan TV the appointment could mean the first step in the transfer of power from the family of Heidar Aliyev to the family of the new Vice president.

However, the ruling YAP party has warmly endorsed Mrs Aliyeva's appointment

Deputy Executive Secretary of YAP and senior MP Siyavoush Novruzov, told report.az that the appointment was timely."The public will appreciate appointment of Mehriban Aliyeva to this post. Everyone is well-aware of her activity. This is a success for Azerbaijan". He noted that Mehriban Aliyeva is quite well-known social and political figure in the world and represented Azerbaijan as a member of the Azerbaijani Parliament and president of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation. "Four acts of amnesty have been adopted so far at the initiative of Mehriban Aliyeva, which impacted over 40 000 persons. She headed Azerbaijan's most prestigious events as a chairperson of the Organizing Committee. These events were held very successfully", he said.

Updated at 18.00 CET / 21.00 Baku

Turkish President Recip Tayip Erdogan has congratulated Mehriban Aliyeva on her appointment as 1st Vice president of Azerbaijan. Erdogan had a telephone conversation this evening with both President Ilham Aliyev and with Vice President Aliyeva.

There has been a mixed reaction in Azerbaijan to the appointment of the country's first lady as 1st Vice president.

The news agency APA quoted the Chairman of the parliamentary Committee on legal policy and state building, Ali Huseynli as saying that Mehriban Aliyeva's appointment is a very important step towards strengthening of the statehood of Azerbaijan. "Thus, so far Mehriban Aliyeva contributed to the country's development as President of Heydar Aliyev Foundation or a member of parliament. Mrs.Mehriban also made her contribution on the way of statehood as an organizer of a number of international events and head of commissions. In this regard I can say that, Mrs.Mehriban has been the closest associate of the president and this appointment is desirable. Therefore, her appointment is praiseworthy and welcomed by the public. Mehriban Aliyeva has gained great respect for her skills, knowledge and the work she done. We are confident that this appointment will further accelerate the reforms carried out in Azerbaijan", Huseynli said.

The appointment was however criticised by a number of opposition figures, as well by a number of bloggers on social media networks. A leading opposition figure, Popular Front leader Ali Kerimli harshly criticised the appointment in a comment carried by the pro-opposition Meydan TV. Kerimli considered the appointment as an insult to the republican character of Azerbaijan.

Leading anti-government blogger, Khadija Ismailova in a number of comments on facebook said that the appointment should not be seen as a step forward for women but as a sign of nepotism.

Updated at 1400 CET/1700 Baku

The new First Vice president of Azerbaijan, Mehriban Aliyeva made her first comments after her appointment whilst addressing the Azerbaijani national Security Council on Tuesday. Vice president Aliyeva spoke about the values of humanity, compassion, mutual respect, and kindness and promised to be guided by them in her new position, whilst serving the country. Mrs. Aliyeva stressed that she realizes the seriousness of the responsibility that came with her appointment to the post of First Vice President..

-----

The President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliev, has appointed his wife, Mehriban Aliyeva, as First Vice president of Azerbaijan.

The appointment follows constitutional changes last year which saw provisions introduced for the creation of the office of 1st Vice President and Vice Presidents.

The President introduced the new Ist Vice President at a meeting of the National Security Council yesterday.

The 1st Vice President announced her appointment on her twitter feed

 

Reaction to the appointment in Azerbaijan have been mixed. Opposition personalities have criticised the appointment on social media.

 

(This story will be updated throughout the day).

source; commonspace.eu 

photo: Azerbaijani First Vice President, Mehriban Aliyeva being introduced to members of the National Security Council on 20 February 2017.

Related articles

Editor's choice
News
Borrell tells the European Parliament that the situation in Afghanistan was critical, but the EU will remain engaged
Trending

Borrell tells the European Parliament that the situation in Afghanistan was critical, but the EU will remain engaged

9 June 2021
Borrell underlined that the European Union will make every effort to support the peace process and to remain a committed partner to the Afghan people. "Of course, we will have to take into account the evolving situation, but disengagement is not an option.  We are clear on that: there is no alternative to a negotiated political settlement, through inclusive peace talks.
Editor's choice
News
G7 foreign ministers issue wide ranging statement after their meeting in Canada
Trending

G7 foreign ministers issue wide ranging statement after their meeting in Canada

13 November 2025
The Foreign Ministers of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America, and the High Representative of the European Union, met under Canada’s G7 Presidency, in Niagara, on November 11-12, 2025. The Foreign Ministers of Brazil, India, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Mexico, the Republic of Korea, South Africa, and Ukraine, also joined the meeting for discussions on maritime security and prosperity, critical minerals, economic resilience and energy security. At the end of their meeting the G7 foreign ministers said: We reaffirmed our unwavering support for Ukraine in defending its territorial integrity and right to exist, and its freedom, sovereignty, and independence. We reiterated that an immediate ceasefire is urgently needed. We agreed that the current line of contact should be the starting point of negotiations. We remain committed to the principle that international borders must not be changed by force. We are increasing the economic costs to Russia, and exploring measures against countries and entities that are helping finance Russia’s war efforts. We condemned the provision to Russia of military assistance by DPRK and Iran, and the provision of weapons and dual-use components by China, a decisive enabler of Russia’s war. We acknowledged the ongoing discussions on a wide range of financing options, including further leveraging immobilised Russian Sovereign Assets in our jurisdictions in a coordinated way to support Ukraine. We strongly condemned Russia’s recent direct attacks on energy infrastructure and reaffirmed our support for Ukraine’s energy security. We reiterated our strong support for President Trump’s Comprehensive Plan to End the Gaza Conflict. We welcomed the ceasefire and the release of hostages. We stressed the urgency of returning the remains of deceased hostages. We also welcomed the increased flows of aid, but expressed concern about restrictions that remain in place. We called on all parties to allow for humanitarian assistance without interference at scale, through the United Nations and its agencies, and the Red Crescent, in addition to other international institutions and INGOs, as stipulated in President Trump’s plan. It is vital that all parties continue to engage constructively on the next steps outlined in the Comprehensive Plan, in pursuit of a political horizon for peaceful and prosperous co-existence for the Israeli and Palestinian peoples that advances comprehensive Middle East peace and stability. We will also continue to maintain attention on the situation in the West Bank. (click headline to read more)

Popular

Editor's choice
News
G7 foreign ministers issue wide ranging statement after their meeting in Canada
Trending

G7 foreign ministers issue wide ranging statement after their meeting in Canada

13 November 2025
The Foreign Ministers of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America, and the High Representative of the European Union, met under Canada’s G7 Presidency, in Niagara, on November 11-12, 2025. The Foreign Ministers of Brazil, India, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Mexico, the Republic of Korea, South Africa, and Ukraine, also joined the meeting for discussions on maritime security and prosperity, critical minerals, economic resilience and energy security. At the end of their meeting the G7 foreign ministers said: We reaffirmed our unwavering support for Ukraine in defending its territorial integrity and right to exist, and its freedom, sovereignty, and independence. We reiterated that an immediate ceasefire is urgently needed. We agreed that the current line of contact should be the starting point of negotiations. We remain committed to the principle that international borders must not be changed by force. We are increasing the economic costs to Russia, and exploring measures against countries and entities that are helping finance Russia’s war efforts. We condemned the provision to Russia of military assistance by DPRK and Iran, and the provision of weapons and dual-use components by China, a decisive enabler of Russia’s war. We acknowledged the ongoing discussions on a wide range of financing options, including further leveraging immobilised Russian Sovereign Assets in our jurisdictions in a coordinated way to support Ukraine. We strongly condemned Russia’s recent direct attacks on energy infrastructure and reaffirmed our support for Ukraine’s energy security. We reiterated our strong support for President Trump’s Comprehensive Plan to End the Gaza Conflict. We welcomed the ceasefire and the release of hostages. We stressed the urgency of returning the remains of deceased hostages. We also welcomed the increased flows of aid, but expressed concern about restrictions that remain in place. We called on all parties to allow for humanitarian assistance without interference at scale, through the United Nations and its agencies, and the Red Crescent, in addition to other international institutions and INGOs, as stipulated in President Trump’s plan. It is vital that all parties continue to engage constructively on the next steps outlined in the Comprehensive Plan, in pursuit of a political horizon for peaceful and prosperous co-existence for the Israeli and Palestinian peoples that advances comprehensive Middle East peace and stability. We will also continue to maintain attention on the situation in the West Bank. (click headline to read more)