The ancient monuments of Azerbaijan culture show that its roots lie in hoary past. Evidence of this is the cave drawings discovered in Kobustan, the Apsheron peninsula, Kelbadzhar and Gemigaya in Ordubad district.
A special scientific interest is shown in two stone moulds for casthing bronze articles, the evidence that the bronze implements and weapons discovered in Azerbaijanian excavation sites were chiefly of local make. This fact has been confirmed by spectral analysis.

Azerbaijan was conquered by Arabs at the beginning of the 8th century and made part of the Arab Khalifat as the vilayet Arran. Islam became the leading religion in Azerbaijan, creating new traditions and culture. Azerbaijanis, like all other nations that accepted Islam, were called "Moslems" and participated in the development of Moslem culture. Azerbaijan enriched the world culture, gave the world a brilliant gallery of scientisits, poets and arhitects. In the midieval centuries there was a succession of states: Gara-goyunly, Ag-gounly, Sefevids states were in power ina successive way. Azerbaijani people distinguish among other peoples with its specific image in the world culture. Cultural and literaty specimen of this people created for centuties are tanned with love of life, feelings of freedom and independence. Gran works of art of our people such as "Kitabi Dada - Gorgud", "Koroghly", coryphaeus who have left indelible traces in the history of the world civilization such as Nizami Ganjavi, Afsalladdin Khagany, Khatib tabrizy, Imadaddin Nasimy, Gatran tabrizy, Mouhammad Fouzuly whose creative activities were devoted to praising world ideas of truth and justice, served to establish human ideals. Art lovers are still admired by the works ofsafiyaddin Ourmavy, Ajamy Nakhchivany, Sultan Mouhammad Tabrizy, who gave pearls to the treasure of world culture. Our people have full right to be proud of the contribution given to the world science. The names of our thinkers nasraddin Tuisy, Aboul-hassan Bahmanyar, Mirza Fataly Akhundov, Abasgouly Aga Bakikhanov and others are wellknown to world science. Heroism of such popular leaders as Javanshir and Baback has been turned into a school of patriotism, embodiment of courage and unification of people. Life and activity of Mouhammad Jahan pahlavan, Gysil Arslan, Ouzun Hassan, Shah Ismail Khatai and other statesman developed love of Motherland and statehood in people, and have been turned to one of the major goals of our life.

A rivalry between states to involve Azerbaijan into the sphere of their interests resulted in striking inner destabilization in 18th century. A number of independent state formations - Khanates appeared. the contradictions between Russia, Turkey and Iran deepened in the 18th - 19th century. Wars were waged over Azerbaijan. The Turkmanchay Treaty of 1828 between Russia and Iran separated Azerbaijan and its people: the northern part of Azerbaijan was conquered by Russia, its southern part became a part of the Iranian state. The 20th century entered the history of the Azerbaijan people as the period of radical changes in socio-economic, political and cultural life. A range of upstream and downstream industrial branches were intensively developing in Azerbaijan. Baku turned into the world center of oil extraction and refinery yielding more than half of the worlds and 95% of Russia's oil extraction total. The cultural live enlivened. Various branches of science were developing, newspapers and magazines started to be published. Formation of political societies, organizations and perties for dessimination of progressive, democratic ideas contributed to the process of becoming and developing a national identity and fueled the growth of the liberation movement of the February, 1917: The fall of the tsarist monarchy in Russia created favorable conditions for the development of national movements in its border lands. May 28, 1918: Azerbaijan rehabilitated its state structure - the Independent Azerbaijan Republic was established. having Existed for 23 months, it collapsed.
Troops of the 11th Red Army came to baku. In December , 1922 Azerbaijan became a pert of the USSR and a socialist republic was formed with the attributes of the state - Constitution, flag, national anthem, state emblem. In 1991 state independance of Azerbaijan was restored, The Constitutional Act of State Independence was adopted. Establishment of the Independent Azerbaijan republic is an important historical event of our life. It is true that the way to independence as not easy for us and we have undergone severe tests. As a result of millitary agression of Armenia against Azerbaijan, occupation of 20% of our territory by Armenian invaders more than one million of our citizens were obliged to leave their native homes and turned into refugees and displaced people. Sabotage of internal and extenal forces against our statehood, disintegration of former economic relations, social and economic difficulties of the transition period and other problems have complicated our way to independence. nevertheless our people did not lose confidence, will and determination in our statehood, but on the contrary, the belief of our people became more strengthened.

As a result of purposeful policy achievements gained for recent years in the country are evident. The war with Armenia that has been going on since 1989, has already been stoped in mid 1997, we have achieved a cease-fire. We have ut an end once and for all to the subversive activities of armed groups within the country, political disorder has been blocked up. The republic of Azerbaijan enjoys relative political stability now. This creates firm foundation to implement radical changes in different spheres of the life of our country. The first Constitution was adopted through nationwide referendum. the Constitutions ensures the independence of the State of azerbaijan, its sovereignty, territorial integrity, the civil society in the scope of the main law. The conditions to use and to extend the Azerbaijani language in all spheres as the State language were set up, and prospective were opened to mature it and to take its deserved place among the languages of the globe. Our nation is setting up the life principles based on supremacy of law, taking care of its history, protecting and developing its national and moral values and Azerbaijan will follow the same target in future.

Azerbaijan expiriences the period of great economic changes and reforms. the transfer to market relations and integration to the world economic system constitute main trends of our policy. the macroeconomy has been stabilized in the country. the economic egress of late 80's has been overcome and the progress in some branches has become visibly achieved. The current economic reforms have had a qualitative new step. Fundamental changes are taking place in the economy. The market relations and entities are being formed to meet the requirements of new structure. Some branches of the industry, trade, transport, public utility services have been privatized, bank and fiscal systems, finansial institutions have been reformed, the implementation of joint projects with major foreign state and private companies and the like are good examples of progress in Azerbaijan's economy.
Oil agreements with the world leading companies, their further implementation, the early oil as produced and already exported to the Western markets have created foundation to ensure grate changes in the economy. The changes taken place in the economy have attracted greater investments for the science, culture and education. Azerbaijan is well known as an independent State worldwide and has a unique image. As soon as the independence has been achieved our country becomes a member of The United Nations Organization, The organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, The Islamic Conference Organization, The Commonwealth of independent States, The Community of Turkich States, the Black Sea Economic Cooperation Organization, The International Monetary Fund, The World Bank for Reconstruction and Development and creates a mutually beneficial collaboration with Inter-Parliamentary Union, European Council, European Community, European Parliament, NATO and other international organizations.
The Azerbaijani diplomacy has achieved important progress to ensure independence, security and territorial integrity including multilateral and mutually beneficial cooperation with all countries based on the principle of equality.
Today the most sensitive problem of our country is the conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan and fair call of Azerbaijan to settle the Nagorny-Karabakh problem is supported by the countries worldwide, international and regional organizations. We are convinced that this problem will be justly and peacfully solved very soon and territorial integrity of our country will be restored. We have declared once and again that the conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan must be settled peacefully. We are against the war. We are in favor of peace. Our utmost desire is to establish peace in azerbaijan, throughout he Caucasian region and worldwide. Azerbaijan is a peace-loving State is willing to live in peace in the atmosphere of mutually beneficial cooperation and understanding with all countries and nations, especially with its neighbors.