President of Azerbaijan

 * Ilham Heydar oglu Aliyev was born in December 24 of 1961 in Baku.

* From 1967 through 1977 he studied in school in Baku.

* In 1977 he entered Moscow State University of International Relations (MSUIR).

* After its graduation in 1982 Mr. I.Aliyev continued his education as post graduate student in MSUIR.

* In 1985 he finalized his research and received PHD in history.

* From 1985 through 1990 he was a lecturer of Moscow State University of International Relations.

* From 1991 through 1994 he led a group of private industrial-commercial enterprises.

* From 1994 through 2003 he was a vise-president, and later a first vise-president of State Oil Company of the Republic of Azerbaijan (SOCAR). He was actively involved into the implementation of "Heydar Aliyev's oil strategy".

He is author of a number of researches on geopolitical aspects of oil strategy of sovereign Azerbaijan. He is Doctor of Political Sciences.

* In 1995 and 2000 he was twice elected to Milli Majlis (Parliament) of the Republic of Azerbaijan. In 2003 he stopped his activity as a member of Parliament due to the appointment to the post of Prime minister of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

* Since 1997 he is the President of National Olympic Committee of Azerbaijan. For his great contribution to the development of sports and Olympic movement Mr. Aliyev was awarded the highest order of International Olympic Committee.

* In 1999 he was elected as deputy, and in 2001 as first deputy of ruling Yeni Azerbaijan party.

* From 2001 through 2003 he was the head of Azerbaijani Parliamentary delegation to Parliamentary Assembly of Council of Europe (PACE).

* In January of 2003 he was elected as Deputy-Chairman of Parliamentary Assembly of Council of Europe and member of bureau of PACE.

* In April of 2004 for his active participation in PACE events and commitment to European values Mr.Aliyev was awarded a medal and diploma of honorable member of PACE.

* In August 4 of 2003 after confirmation of Milli Majlis (Parliament) he was appointed as the Prime Minister of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

* In October 15 of 2003 he was elected as the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan. More than 76 % of voters supported Ilham Aliyev's candidacy during the elections. He assumed his post in October 31 of 2003.

* Mr. Aliyev is fluent in Azerbaijani, Russian, English, French and Turkish.

* Mr. I. Aliyev is married, has three children.