Khizi, July 22 (AZERTAC). The Heydar Aliyev Center has opened in Khizi.

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev attended the opening of the center.

Important work is being done and vital projects are being implemented in the regions of our country including Khizi in order to memorialize national leader Heydar Aliyev who has exceptional services in overall development of our country and strengthening the statehood of Azerbaijan. The Heydar Aliyev Center, which was newly built in the center of the region, is an example of deep respect for the national leader. The center houses photos and items reflecting the life and activity of the national leader and spanning different periods. It has photos, books and other items reflecting the measures to improve the image of Azerbaijan in an international arena, prevent the civil war in our country during first years of independence thanks to the purposeful policy of the great personality, lift the economy out of deep crisis and put it on the growth path and build up the strong military. The Heydar Aliyev Center, which is of great importance for popularizing Azerbaijanism philosophy of national leader Heydar Aliyev, ensuring participation of the Azerbaijani citizens in large-scale projects related to the fate of their homeland, nation and people as part of ongoing processes in the world, making them determined to realize their dreams and intentions, reflects the modern realities of Azerbaijan too.

The Head of State cut the ribbon symbolizing the opening of the Heydar Aliyev Center.

It was informed that the construction of the center began in April 2013. The area around the building was largely developed and rebuilt. A bust of the national leader was mounted in the foyer of the center, which is unique for its interior. The center has many historical documents on the life and activity of national leader Heydar Aliyev. The photos dating back to childhood, youth, student years of the national leader as well as to both soviet and independence periods are welcomed with great interest. These pictures reflect various aspects of the national leader`s rule in Azerbaijan during the Soviet era and years of independence. In addition, there are books documents and other items related to the national leader in the center. The photo stand reflecting President Ilham Aliyev`s visit to Khizi also arouse great interest. The Heydar Aliyev centers across the country began to host marriage ceremonies for youngsters. It was noted that the center is scheduled to arrange registration of acts of civil status and this kind of ceremonies.

Latest achievements in urban development were used in construction of the center. There are an exhibition hall, a cafe, lounges and other auxiliary rooms. Interesting paintings are displayed in the open exhibition hall. The center will house a library, a kitchen, folk art studios, music and sculpture circles. These circles enable the youth to master the secrets of various arts, and effectively spend their free time. A computer room, painting and design studios, a virtual classroom here are very interesting in terms of their modernity. Every opportunity was created for organizing the events at the high-level related to the political and social events and big days. It is scheduled to conduct socio-political and cultural events in the 230-seat event and small conference halls including open classes to popularize rich heritage of national leader Heydar Aliyev. People can use a 3D cinema hall and a shooting gallery here.

After getting familiarized with the Heydar Aliyev Center, the head of state met with the general public.

President Ilham Aliyev said:

- My warm greetings to all of you! İ am very glad to come to Khizi again. This is my third trip to Khizi. I remember celebrating the opening of a hospital last time I was here.

Today we are also gathered for the opening of this magnificent Heydar Aliyev Center. I heartily congratulate you on this wonderful event. It is a beautiful Center and a very nice building. Both its external appearance and the interior design are at the highest level. It has been built with great taste. I am sure that the residents of Khizi District will be effectively using the Centre. Youth, teenagers and the elderly people can use the Centre for various purposes. This is a beautiful place both in terms of functionality and in terms of architecture. Young people should attend the clubs that will operate here. The Centre should operate because such a beautiful building has been put in place, and its functional side, of course, should also be organized at a high level.

The Centre is named after the great leader, and this is natural because Heydar Aliyev is the founding father of our independence. It is thanks to his activities that Azerbaijan is alive today and increases its strength as an independent state. Heydar Aliyev, who assumed leadership at the request of the people and at the most difficult time for our country, ensured the independence, put an end to the civil war and put the country on the path of development. Today we are true to this policy in all directions, and the successful development of our country is the result of this policy. We see this development in Khizi district as well.

As you know, Khizi is a small district with a population of about 15,000 people. Despite this, all the necessary measures are taken to ensure socioeconomic development of Khizi. We consistently take these measures so that all the issues of concern for people are resolved. A great road has been built from the highway to Khizi. This road was not in the best condition before. Today it meets the highest standards. Other road projects are also implemented here. Recently we allocated additional funds for the construction of rural roads. The road leading to Altiagaj village will be overhauled. Currently, other road projects are awaiting implementation, and these issues will also be addressed. The Shurabad rural road should also be constructed. Funds will be allocated for this purpose. So the road infrastructure is the main issue, and rural roads throughout the country are on our agenda as a priority. When there is a road, then, of course, there is comfort and development. Khizi has great tourism potential. There are wonderful natural conditions here – beautiful mountains and clean air. Today I received a new project. The construction of a wonderful hotel is planned here. So the adoption of additional measures in this area will, of course, raise the economic potential of the district, because in the first place there should be a road. Infrastructure projects must be implemented. For each district, including Khizi, there is an economic development plan consistent with its characteristics. As you know, the third program of regional development provides all necessary measures for the development of Khizi District.

When I was here last time, we celebrated the opening of a hospital. It is a wonderful medical facility. It is beautiful, and all the equipment installed there is not inferior to the equipment of the world’s leading clinics. I think that this is also a great contribution to public health.

In Khizi District we have taken a very important step for the development of agriculture. An irrigation project has been started here, and its implementation was made possible after the construction of the Takhtakorpu reservoir. The construction of the Takhtakorpu water reservoir is probably the largest infrastructure projects undertaken in the non-oil sector recently. It is of particular importance for the development of agriculture. The Samur-Absheron canal, the Takhtakorpu power station, the Takhtakorpu-Jeyranbatan canal – these projects have already been implemented. Thus, we can use the waters of the river Samur in the desired volume. And now we are paying serious attention to agriculture of the districts located along the canal.

In Siyazan, Shabran and Khizi Districts, large areas of land will be included into the circulation. In Khizi District, 9,000 hectares of land will be provided with water. Currently, the area of ​​irrigated land in Khizi District is 3,000 hectares. So three times more land irrigated will be than now. Farmers will thus have additional opportunities. Farmers need to make rational use of these lands. The Ministry of Agriculture, the Ministry of Economy and Industry, local executive authorities must do this work together, so that we could identify the range of products that will be grown on these lands.

So it is a very large project for the development of agriculture and a great contribution to that. I am confident that all the necessary network will be built in the near future. We should now build pipes and canals, so that the lands resembling a desert today are turned into a flower bed.

Such is the concrete work we are doing. Of course, additional measures related to the further development of Khizi District will be taken. I know that there are problems too. The first among them is the problem of drinking water. As you know, this problem is being gradually addressed in the country. I am confident that as a result of the third program of regional development all our cities will be provided with drinking water, including Khizi District.

I know that there are various difficulties associated with the establishment of the source. This issue will also be resolved. Clean drinking water will be supplied to Khizi District too, because we are paying great attention to these projects now. A number of cities have recently been provided with clean drinking water. In parallel, we are implementing projects related to sanitation, and this issue will be resolved in Khizi too.

The work carried out in recent years shows that we are consistently resolving all the problems and we will continue to resolve them. For example, gasification in Khizi is at the level of 90 per cent now. There used to be no gas and no roads here before. Roads have been built. There was no hospital and a hospital has been built. After the implementation of the drinking water project, we can say that key infrastructural issues will be resolved.

An irrigation project has been launched. Farmers are given loans on concessional terms. It remains only for people to rationally use these opportunities, work hard and further strengthen our country. Our overall development is obvious. Azerbaijan is experiencing a period of rapid development and extensive creative work is under way in the country.

Our economy is growing and social issues are resolved. There is stability and accord in the country. In short, Azerbaijan is in the global spotlight thanks to the work being carried out. We are consistently doing this work. This work is carried out on the basis of a specific program. Also, we have no doubt related to the development of districts and the further development of Khizi District. Even more extensive work will be done and people will live even better.

I am sure that as a result of the implementation of these issues we will meet with you more often because there will be many more ceremonies here in the future. My greetings to all of you again! I extend my best wishes to you.

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Honored teacher Khatira Shahgaldiyeva thanked President Ilham Aliyev on behalf of the residents of the district.

Then a picture was taken.