I remember very well my first meeting with Heydar Aliyev. I was invited to a meeting chaired by Heydar Aliyev to discuss the draft of the USSR Aviation Code. Heydar Aliyev was perfectly prepared for the meeting. At that meeting, I observed how Heydar Aliyev respected the opinion of scientists, how he patiently listened to his companions, and how he tried to solve even the most difficult problems in the most optimal ways.

Heydar Aliyev worked hard to regulate relations with the world community, especially with Russia and the CIS countries. Just three months after being elected the Chairman of the Supreme Soviet of Azerbaijan, Heydar Aliyev signed the decision to join the CIS and participated in the CIS summit of heads of state held in Moscow.