A solemn opening ceremony of the tinned food factory was held in the city of Khachmaz on September 12. The event was attended by Prime-Minister of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev who was welcomed by thousands of citizens, public representatives and employees of the factory with flowers and under the storm of applauds. The Prime –Minister cut the red ribbon indicating the factory’s opening and closer familiarized himself with that.

Is was announced that 14 million dollars had been invested by Turkish “Azersun Holding” in the construction of the factory, that it had been equipped with modern German and Italian equipment, and that 90 percent of its two hundred employees are the citizens of Azerbaijan. The factory is going to supply with variety of tinned goods not only local market but also expected to export its products abroad.

Prime-Minister Ilham Aliyev made the round of the factory shops, was acquainted with industrial process and quality control laboratory.

After that, the Prime-Minister met with the Turkish businessmen and was curious about their problems. The businessmen expressed satisfaction with the conditions, which had been created for them in Azerbaijan, said they would increase the volume of investments in the country’s economy to promote development of its private sector.

The Prime-Minister stressed the government would continue to show concern about all businessmen working in Azerbaijan.

Then, a solemn ceremony of the factory’s putting into operation was held. Head of Khachmaz Executive power Abulfaz Huseynov, President of the “Azersun Holding” Abdulbari Gozel, Minister of Economic Development Farhad Aliyev, and the factory’s staff member addressed the ceremony. They congratulated Ilham Aliyev on his appointment as Prime-Minister and wished him success in realization of the wise statesman Heydar Aliyev’s policy. The speakers emphasized that huge construction works had been carried out in all nooks of the republic for the last year: new manufacturing firms, social, cultural, educational and medical establishments are being built; the population’s living standard is getting better and better. According to them, this is the logical result of the huge work done by President Heydar Aliyev in the name of prosperity of the country. It was his wise foreign policy that allowed Azerbaijan to join the international community, establish peace and stability, and be recognized as a country with developing economy. And this is the reason why the world leading countries’ large companies invest in Azerbaijan economy with confidence.

The putting into operation of the tinned food factory “Qafqaz” was also described as the product of the favorable conditions created by President Haydar Aliyev for entrepreneurship development in the Republic. It was stressed that along with new employment opportunities, it will create conditions for effective use of the vegetable products produced in large quantity in the region.

Afterwards, Prime-Minister of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliev addressed the ceremony.

Ilham Aliyev described the day of opening and putting into operation of the tinned food factory “Qavqaz” as very remarkable in the history of Azerbaijan and extended his congratulations on this occasion to the participants.

He in particular said: “The opening and putting into operation of the factory is one more result of the economic policy carried out under the leadership of President Heydar Aliyev for the last years. Thanks to this policy, large investments have been made in Azerbaijan for the very short time, economic reforms are being carried out, and the process of privatization is successfully continuing. This policy allowed Azerbaijan to become economically strong and create firm economic potential. This factory is a really giant enterprise of processing industry, it meets all international standards, and its equipment was delivered form the world’s leading countries.”

In his speech Prime-Minister Ilham Aliyev also spoke of other aspects of the economic development of Azerbaijan, and touched upon the upcoming Presidential elections in the country as well.

In conclusion, the Prime-Minister answered the questions from journalists.

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PEOPLE’S ARTIST ARIF MELIKOV

Dear Arif Melikov,

A sincerely congratulate you, the outstanding music composer who has great services in development of Azerbaijani culture, on the occasion of your 70th jubilee.

Continuing in a worthy manner, the fine traditions of the generation of great artists born by our nation, you have added the vivid pages to the Azerbaijan musical chronicle. As an alumnus of the school of Gara Garayev - the composer of genius of our era – you have gained music lovers’ deep respect and love from your youth up. The works created by you - the master who towers above the centuries-old foundation of the history of our national culture – in the genres of symphony, ballet, operetta, vocal, chamber music, have included in the list of invaluable masterpieces of thesaurus of Azerbaijani music. Your musical compositions embodying values common for all mankind, meeting in a worthy manner the demands of the modern art, have been realized in most eminent theatres around the world.

Like many outstanding masters, except creative work, you are engaged in teaching activity. As a professor of Baku Musical Academy, and applying your rich experience you even now render invaluable services in educating young music composers.

The civil stance you demonstrated during the days of ordeals Azerbaijan was undergoing, has brought you people’s great respect and sympathy. Your semi-centennial fruitful creative way has become an example of a composer’s faithful service to people, his boundless attachment to musical art. You creative work was repeatedly awarded high prizes. Your supreme award, however, is a world glory you have gained due to your born talent and devotion to the traditions of musical art.

I believe that you as a composer who has a great creative potential will not spare your knowledge and skills to develop Azerbaijani musical culture and train young composers to be masters.

I wish you good health, happiness and creative success.

Heydar Aliyev

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan

September 12, 2003.