From the photo of the Radio Azadlig news feed, the face of a gray-haired, confident man, who is sitting in a strict business suit in his office, is looking at me. Azerbaijani politician Ramiz Mehdiyev is the current head of the Presidential Administration of Azerbaijan, the most famous academician. Today he gives another interview, while commenting on the speech of Richard Morningstar, US Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Azerbaijan. His grades and phrases are accurate and verified, but they sound easy and understandable. Calm, considerate, incredibly educated, competent and organized person. And how could it be otherwise, holding such a position and having a huge management experience.
The beginning of a long journey
In the distant 1938 on April 17 in Baku, a boy was born, who was named Ramiz Mehdiyev. Photo of his father and mother, unfortunately, is missing, as well as any information about them. It is known for certain that they come from Nakhichevan. Almost nothing is said or written about in the press about his parents. And about the current family, which consists of a wife and two children: a son and a daughter, they try not to advertise the information. This is not accepted among them among the people and, apparently, traditions are stronger than journalistic curiosity. However, the riddles of this world-famous personality are just beginning. Over the many years of his political career, Ramiz Mehdiyev managed to surprise many with his unconventional approach to governing the country.
You need to study and work a lot - this is the key to success
Like many other boys, Ramiz Mehdiyev graduated from the Baku Naval School in 1957 and immediately went to work. Having an incredible craving for education and quite serious ambitions, at 23 he enters the Azerbaijan State University at the Faculty of History. As a student and joining the Komsomol, Ramiz Mehdiyev holds the responsible post of second secretary of the Nakhichevan regional committee of the Komsomol. Then there was graduate school at Moscow State University and 4 years of teaching scientific communism at Azerbaijan State University. The future head of the administration, Ramiz Mehdiyev, walked up the corporate ladder confidently, overcoming step by step. Without stopping his scientific activity, in 1993 he received the title of Doctor of Philosophy. He earned recognition in academia abroad in April 2001, when he was elected an honorary member of the New York Academy of Sciences. Currently, Ramiz Mehdiyev is a full member of the NAS of Azerbaijan.
Changing his posts and making his way through the jungle of behind-the-scenes political intrigues, he became an experienced apparatchik, a master in conducting palace intrigues and masterfully resolving various conflict situations.
Chess games and the Gray Cardinal
Who will argue with the statement that politics is a team game and skillfully played games? Ramiz Mehdiyev is considered a member of the “old team” of President G. Aliyev, who for 30 years has remained loyal to this government clan and has been actively involved in strengthening it. However, if Ramiz had trusting relations with the father of the current president Ilham Aliyev, then relations with his son are rather strained and they say that by appointing deputy heads of administration, I. Aliyev reduced the broadest powers of Ramiz Mehdiyev to the so-called “gray cardinal”. But he was rightfully always considered the main "ideologist" of the Azerbaijani ruling regime.
Is it time to retire
Today, the most influential member of the presidential team is 77 years old. His age is respectful and perhaps it’s not worth saying that for such a long period of his political career, the politician managed to achieve the respect and honor of many, but still … Perhaps it is time for him to forget about business and start thinking about a well-deserved honorary pension? Indeed, if you just think about it, then Ramiz Mehdiyev has always been the head of the presidential administration for more than 20 years. Absolutely unthinkable and respectable term. But no, it’s too early to think about retirement, although many would be happy with such news. Especially when you take into account the tough approach of a politician to governing his country and in general to his work.
Terrible "hawk" of the presidential entourage
Times, presidents and their environment are changing. But the principle of opposition in parliament is unchanged. Ramiz Mehdiyev is an opponent of rapprochement between the countries of the West and Azerbaijan and sharply criticizes any processes leading to this. He is ruthless to his opponents and knows how to insist on his own. Perhaps it was precisely for these qualities that he was nicknamed the formidable hawk of the presidential entourage? Even today, when the whole world froze in anticipation of another world war, and each time shudders from the disappointing news, this man continues his desperate struggle for justice and light! How much more can the evil politicians resist? This is still unknown, but in any case, it is now easy to understand that he will stand until the last!
