Baku: December 12, 2023 marks the 20th anniversary of the death of National Leader, architect and founder of the modern independent Azerbaijani state Heydar Aliyev. The employees of the Azerbaijan State News Agency (AZERTAC) have visited the Alley of Honors to pay tribute and lay flowers at the Great Leader's tomb. They also put flowers at the grave of the Great Leader's wife, prominent ophthalmologist, academician Zarifa Aliyeva. AZERTAC also hosted the ceremony to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the passing of Great Leader Heydar Aliyev. AZERTAC`s staff first laid flowers at national leader Heydar Aliyev's bust in the foyer of the building. The event participants honored memory of national leader of the Azerbaijani people Heydar Aliyev and martyrs, who sacrificed their lives for the independence and territorial integrity of the Motherland, by observing a minute of silence. Speaking at the memorial ceremony, AZERTAC Board Chairman Vugar Aliyev highlighted the historic and unparalleled services of t he National Leader Heydar Aliyev to the Homeland and the people. According to him, the political course defined by the Great Leader and the excellent leadership of President Ilham Aliyev enabled Azerbaijan to reclaim its sovereignty. Vugar Aliyev emphasized the significance of the 44-day Patriotic War, during which the Azerbaijani Army, under the command of the Victorious Commander-in-Chief Ilham Aliyev, decisively defeated the enemy, putting an end to the three-decade-long occupation of its territories. The Board Chairman underscored the Great Leader's unwavering focus on AZERTAC, emphasizing the contemporary challenges the agency confronts. He also emphasized the Great Leader's deep affection for the Azerbaijani language, asserting that preserving the native language is a shared responsibility for all Azerbaijanis, including journalists. Source: Azerbaijan State News Agency