Zangilan, October 20, AZERTAC

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and President of the Republic of Turkiye Recep Tayyip Erdogan have attended the inauguration of the first stage of “Dost Agropark" smart agricultural complex in Zangilan district.

While viewing the complex, presidents Ilham Aliyev and Recep Tayyip Erdogan responded to questions from journalists.

Journalist: We wish you success with the complex.

President Ilham Aliyev: Hello.

Journalist: When we came here a year ago, there was also an opening.

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan: Only foundations were laid back then. Look at the situation now.

Journalist: It has turned into a green field.

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan: Cattle have been brought in from abroad. Both breeding and slaughter are carried out. And Abdulkadir is the person in charge here.

Journalist: Mr. President, will the complex be expanded?

President Ilham Aliyev: That depends on Abdulkadir Bey.

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan: He is in charge. Whatever he wants will be the case.

Abdulkadir: Of course, it will expand. Inshallah, we will continue in Lachin.

President Ilham Aliyev: Of course, it should expand. The fact that so much work has been done in a matter of one year is an excellent example.

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan: The world is already focused on agriculture and animal husbandry. There is no other option.

President Ilham Aliyev: We were here last year. It was an empty lot and there was nothing here. The foundation was laid in October last year. A year has passed, and look what a wonderful job has been done.

Journalist: Where will the next airport open?

President Ilham Aliyev: In Lachin.

Journalist: When will it open?

President Ilham Aliyev: In 2024 or 2025.

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan: There is no need to drag it out like that.

President Ilham Aliyev: The point is that there is not a single flat area. There is a lot of earthwork to be done because we are cutting through mountains to build a runway. This is what takes most of the time. Construction has not started yet. We have only been breaking through these mounting for one year. Inshallah, in two, maybe two and a half years, there will also be an airport in Lachin. Inshallah, my brother will also come and we will open it together.

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan: Inshallah.

The heads of state were informed of the complex.

It was noted that office buildings, a 5,200 square meter indoor and a 113,000 square meter outdoor animal husbandry complexes, social facilities, a cafe, a cinema, a recreation area, a swimming pool, and buildings for service personnel were built in the first phase of the project. A total of 3500 head of cattle were brought to the complex and production of tillage carried out. Harvesting of wheat and barley planted last year was completed with the participation of both presidents.

President Ilham Aliyev and President Recep Tayyip Erdogan applied the first samples of “Made in Karabakh” labels on the packages of meat products from the cattle brought to the region by “Dost Agropark”, raised in pastures and slaughtered.

The heads of state also participated in the opening of the Zangazur Weightlifting Club, which was established under “Dost Agropark”. At the opening ceremony, members of the national weightlifting teams of Turkiye and Azerbaijan, as well as amateur athletes of the club, had a conversation with the presidents.

It was mentioned that work on the second and third stages of “Dost Agropark” would be continued soon. As a result of the completion of all stages of the project, vegetation-based production and technical areas will be established on an area of 6,000 hectares of land, cattle breeding, as well as seed and seedling areas will be set up for the breeding of 10,000 head of cattle. Along with this, an integrated meat processing and packaging enterprise intended to cover the entire region will be built, along with a warehouse with a capacity of 100,000 tons. The complex will also meet the region's demand for seeds, fertilizers and agricultural supplies. An “Agro Market” will be established to take the products made in Karabakh to world markets under the brand name of “Made in Karabakh”.

“Dost Agropark”" is the first private agricultural complex to be created by Turkish and Azerbaijani investors in Karabakh and Zangazur regions. The foundation of the project, implemented in three stages, was laid by President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and President of Turkiye Recep Tayyip Erdogan on 26 October 2021. During the past year, all work envisaged under the first stage has been completed.

“Dost Agropark”, where smart agricultural technologies, zero waste, renewable energy and sustainable agricultural mechanisms to be applied, will operate on the principle of halal food, protection of the environment and nature. When the project is fully completed, 500 people will be employed in the complex. A total of 100 million dollars will be invested to create the ecosystem. The complex will make an important contribution to the energy security of Azerbaijan and Turkiye.

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The event then featured a concert program, and the screening of a video about the complex.

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President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and President of Turkiye Recep Tayyip Erdogan made speeches at the event.

President Ilham Aliyev said:

- It is an unforgettable day in the history of Zangilan district today. The honorable President of the fraternal country, my brother Recep Tayyip Erdogan, is visiting Zangilan. This is a great holiday for all of us, a great holiday for all the people of Azerbaijan.

I sincerely welcome my dear brother and all our Turkish brothers and sisters who came to Azerbaijan together with him. I say to you - “You are welcome!” We were here exactly one year ago. Back then, there was an empty alley here. There was nothing here at all. We laid the foundation of an “Agropark” here. Today, while getting acquainted with the work done, we saw yet again that Turkish-Azerbaijani unity and friendship manifest themselves and produce great results in every field.

It has been mentioned here that it is a special day for Zangilan today. Exactly two years ago, on 20 October, the city of Zangilan was liberated from the invaders by the glorious Azerbaijan Army. The 27-year occupation of Zangilan ended. The fact that we are in Zangilan on this day, the fact that we are opening the Zangilan Airport and this “Agropark” together with my dear brother certainly has a special meaning. I would like to express my special thanks to everyone who has contributed to the creation of this “Agropark”. It was mentioned here that this is the first private investment. The expansion of this “Agropark” and the creation of similar agricultural parks in other regions have been discussed today. Good luck!

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President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said:

- Together with my dear brother Ilham Aliyev, we have laid the foundation of this “Agropark” here. Also today, together with my brother, we saw with our own eyes the work done and the investment made. So far, we have determined that about 3,000 head of cattle will be brought here and, Inshallah, this figure will reach 10,000 as a target.

These places, which have seen war and were completely uninhabitable in its aftermath, have now turned into fertile lands. When we arrived, my brother Ilham and I talked about it, and now we will build a reservoir here in a short time - within two to two and a half years, he said. Thanks to this reservoir, these areas will become more fertile. Inshallah, wheat, corn and barley will be grown in these fertile lands.

If I am not mistaken, Yunus Amra wrote in one of his poems that God creates hundreds of thousands of grains from one spike of wheat. Now we will see the same here. Inshallah, these spikes will turn into grains and will be sent from here to the rest of Azerbaijan, to Turkiye and the whole world. Let's not forget this, we are entering a time when animal husbandry and agriculture should occupy an important place in the world. I am sure that my brother Ilham is taking a very important step in this field. He is implementing this. This place will become a storehouse for grain, a fertile field in terms of animal husbandry, and a region where many countries will knock on its door, Inshallah.

I would like to thank my brother Ilham and the leaders of “Dost Agropark”, and congratulate them.

Inshallah, these lands will remain fertile lands forever.

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The heads of state then cut the ribbon symbolizing the opening of the first stage of “Dost Agropark" smart agricultural complex.