1982, degree, 1985, PhD in History, Moscow State University of International Relations. Formerly: Lecturer, Moscow State University of International Relations; led group of private industrial-commercial enterprises; Vice-President then First Vice-President, State Oil Company (SOCAR), Azerbaijan; elected Member of Parliament; Azerbaijan; Deputy Chairman, First Deputy Chairman and Chairman, New Azerbaijan Party. With Parliamentary Assembly of Council of Europe: 2001-03, headed Azerbaijani Parliamentary Delegation; 2003, Deputy Chairman and Member of Bureau. August 2003, Prime Minister of Azerbaijan; October 2003, President of Azerbaijan. Since 1997, President, National Olympic Committee, Azerbaijan. Author of works on geopolitical aspects of oil strategy in Azerbaijan. Recipient of awards and honours, including: Heydar Aliyev Order, Azerbaijan; Order of State, Republic of Turkey; Grand Cross of the Legion of Honour, French Republic; Order of Merit of the Italian Republic; King Abdul Aziz Order, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia; Star of Romania Order; Grand Cross of Order of Merit, Republic of Poland; Order of Prince Yaroslav the Wise of 1st Class, Ukraine; Order of the Three Stars (Commander of the Grand Cross), Latvian Republic; highest order, International Olympic Committee; "Grand Cordon" Order of Merit, International Military Sport Council; medal and diploma, Parliamentary Assembly of Council of Europe.