Dear sisters and brothers!

I am cordially greeting you all, and expressing my deep respect and love to you.

A very remarkable event is taking place today in Yevlakh. These nice square and avenue are about to be named after nation-wide leader of our people Heydar Aliyev. On this occasion I extend my sincere congratulations to all of you.

Nation-wide leader of our people Heydar Aliyev served the Motherland and nation during all his lifetime. In 1970-80s, the great constructive work was carried out under his leadership. The country’s economy was developing leaving behind the rest of the Soviet Republics. The people in the Soviet Azerbaijan, indeed, felt this: standard of living increased, new enterprises, hospitals, schools, scientific and cultural centers were built. It was exactly the period when powerful economic potential was created in Azerbaijan, particularly, on oil sector. This potential is serving independent Azerbaijan even today, and is a great support of the country’s economy.

After coming back to power in 1993, this time to govern independent Azerbaijan, Heydar Aliyev continued to serve his people, and helped the country out of difficult situation. We all remember well that after re-gaining independence Azerbaijan appeared to be in the very difficult situation. On the one hand, Armenian aggression against Azerbaijan, on the other hand processes taken place within the country. Chaos and anarchy were ruling the country. At that hard time, the people appealed again to their nation-wide leader, and invited him to Baku. After Heydar Aliyev returned to the capital, stability has been re-established in the country, and favorable conditions have been created here for further development. Since then, Azerbaijan has been successfully developed.

Our country has managed to occupy a worthy place in the international arena. My recent foreign visits have shown again that Azerbaijan has turned into a very important country in the region. Of course, it, in the first place, is the result of Heydar Aliyev’s efforts, triumph of his diplomacy.

Huge investments have been made in our country, and Azerbaijan is a leading one from this standpoint, as well. Today, a section of the Baku–Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline and large pumping station are being constructed in Yevlakh. It of course became possible thanks to the activities of Heydar Aliyev. If the oil strategy were not laid by Heydar Aliyev in 1994, we would not achieve such successes.

At the same time, social problems are also resolved in Azerbaijan. Living conditions of refugees and IDPs are improved – new settlements, schools and hospitals are being constructed for them. This process will be continued. I stated during my pre-election campaign that no an encampment would remain in the country. In this connection, relevant decrees have already been signed, and their implementation has already started.

In a word, Azerbaijan has been strengthened under the leadership of Heydar Aliyev for the past decade. Today, our country is looking to the future with confidence. We have great prospects. The whole world knows that Azerbaijan will shortly turn into economically powerful state. To reach this goal, it is first of all necessary to continue Heydar Aliyev’s policy. Today, taking the opportunity, I want to express my gratitude to the people of Yevlakh for supporting the Heydar Aliyev’s policy in the elections. There are no alternatives to this course. And we will do continue that in all spheres.

Azerbaijan’s positions in the international arena will do strengthened. My recent visits indicate once again that Azerbaijan is pursuing very successful policy in this direction. Azerbaijan has good relations with the world’s most prestigious international organizations – Council of Europe, European Union and NATO, as well as with the world’s leading countries.

Azerbaijan’s economy strengthens day by day and intensively develops. Measures are taken to open new working places. Oil strategy continues successfully and in early next year the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan MEP will be put into operation. Social problems are solved. Last year the pensions and wages have increased. These positive trends will continue. We shall try to do our best to improve living conditions of our people.

As you know, we have adopted socio-economic and regional programs important for future development of Azerbaijan. These programs are being realized. I am confident that in the coming five years, realization of them will greatly benefit our Republic. We are fighting poverty and this will be continued. Opening of new working places is priority for us and I have several times stated on this. Today, with a feeling deep pleasure I would like to say that about 30 thousand of working places have been opened after the President elections. It is also pleased that these working places have been opened in the regions. This is one of the major factors of our policy. All regions of Azerbaijan should develop. All the regions and cities, settlements and villages, all residential areas should develop. The people should be employed. I am very glad that early conclusions of this policy have become reality. I am convinced that these trends will continue and poverty and unemployment will be abolished.

Today, I am pleased of being in Yevlakh. It was said here that I had visited Yevlakh before the elections and met the residents of Yevlakh. I received their support and won at the elections. It is rather pleased that large-scale works are carried out in Yevlakh. You know that I have appointed a new head of the executive power in Yevlakh. In the course of conversation, we have decided that probably in six months I shall come here to familiarize with the done works. I am very glad that this was two months. Large works have been done in Yevlakh during these two months – streets and parks have been paved, enterprises restored, attention and care for people increased. Should these factors exist everywhere, Azerbaijan will solve its problems in a short period. I hope it will be so. If in Yevlakh during two months such large-scale works have been done, then, I am sure it can be done on other regions as well. I have a demand for all the executives and managers in the places – to develop the cities, regions, build and open new working places, set conditions for entrepreneurs, assist the farmers, peasants, at the same time attentively treat the people. I am rather glad that all these are being realized in Yevlakh. I wish success to the new management, the residents of Yevlakh in this direction.

The grounds of this policy have been established in 1993. Should this course of development not be taken in that year, today Azerbaijan would face more problems. In those years, difficult problems of the Republic were solved. Restoration of stability, maintenance of order and rule and at the same time, as an important problem – the process of strengthening of Azerbaijan statehood was launched. At that time, the state independence of Azerbaijan was under jeopardy. As a result of Heydar Aliyev’s gigantic efforts, significant steps were made in this direction. To say, Azerbaijan, since 1996, has overcome all these difficulties. Since that time, the country is developing dynamically.

Today, we are optimist for the coming years. Morrow is bright. The Country will develop, strengthen, become stronger and our crucial problem – the Armenia-Azerbaijan, Nagorny Karabakh problem find its solution. I am confident. Our cause is fair. We support justice, want to restore territorial integrity of our Country. We try this conflict to find its solution in the frame of international law and peacefully. At the same time, we should be ready for all other happenings. We have no claims on territories of others and will not give a span of Azerbaijani land to others. We shall liberate our native lands. We are going to do it in peaceful way. Should it not be possible, we shall do it by all means.

Heydar Aliyev’s policy should be continued to solve the forthcoming tasks and problems. Azerbaijan needs this policy today and it will need it tomorrow. I have stated to adhere to this policy before the elections and I am devoted to this policy today and will not backtrack from this. We shall go only forward and to new accomplishments.

Dear residents of Yevlakh, I once again congratulate you on naming this Square and Avenue after the national leader of Azerbaijan Heydar Aliyev, wish you new successes, new victories. Thank you.