Today, we are holding an enlarged session of the Executive Committee of the National Olympic Committee to sum up the result of the year. In all, 2005 was quite successful concerning development of sport in Azerbaijan. Having shown high results in various international competitions, world and European championships, our sportsmen have enhanced the glory of the Azerbaijani sport. In 2005, we had world and European champions. In all, this year at the official international tournaments we have won 211 medals including 61 gold ones. This is quite high figure, which indicates that sport is intensively developing in Azerbaijan. Wonderful sport traditions, successes achieved in previous years continue - we can see it this year also.

Azerbaijan hosted various international competitions. For the first time, a world championship in Olympic sport was held here. The tournaments hosted by other organizations and federations, of course contributed to development of sport in Azerbaijan too. It is pleasant that not only Baku but also regions of Azerbaijan began to host international competitions: a very prestigious volleyball tournament was held in Guba. Teams from 8 countries competed there during two weeks. All this again demonstrates that Azerbaijan has turned into a sport country. Azerbaijan has wonderful sport traditions, and all necessary conditions for the people to indulge in sport.

As you know new Olympic Complexes have been built in various regions of the country. Since 2000, the complexes have been built and commissioned in all the regions. This year opening of a new complex took place in Shemakha, and foundation stones of new complexes were laid in several towns. New complexes are planned to be built in a number of regions and towns in 2006, as well. It has become a good tradition, and it is already difficult to imagine districts and towns of Azerbaijan without sport complexes.

I remember, we were full of pride while commissioning the first complex here in Baku. President of the International Olympic Committee, then President of the European Olympic Committee Mr. Rogge arrived to attend the opening ceremony. This is the evidence that the International and the European Olympic Committees attach a great importance to such events. Note that over 10 Olympic complexes have been erected ever since, and all of them are high-standard and very tasteful. These complexes serve not only sportsmen but also ordinary people. There are swimming pools, hotels and other infrastructure attached to them. In general, it serves the future of the socio-economic development of regions.

Our accomplishments in all fields allow us to assert that sport, Olympic movement in Azerbaijan is growing stronger. We will be striving to achieve further strengthening of these wonderful tendencies. Our sportsmen enhance our country’s glory. National anthem is performed and our national flag is hoisted at international competitions.

We have wonderful growing generation. This is what especially pleases me. In any country, local personnel, young generation is playing an extremely important role in development of sport. Youth already gain impressive success in seniors’ competitions. In all, this is an indication of development of sport. I am sure, that development of sport will be speeded up in the future, and our young generation will be physically healthy. Sport, at the same time, means moral heath, normal way of life and normal upbringing. I am very glad that our youth is healthy both physically and morally; it is educated in patriotic spirit.

Great attention is being paid today to the sphere of education. This year 130 middle schools have been built in Azerbaijan. 130 schools in a year – no analogues of this has ever been. This is care for youth, children. This is development of Azerbaijan. Development of any country is defined and embodied by various factors, including competence, knowledge, sport, general standard. Sport recognition of Azerbaijan, accomplishments of our athletes in prestigious tournaments encourage young sportsmen and children. They also want resemble known sportsmen. All these processes are linked to each other. And these processes are based on the policy of independent Azerbaijan. This policy yields fruit. We can witness this in all fields.

While familiarizing with the exhibition here downstairs today, I could see photos from our past. One of the photos was particularly interesting: in 1992 or 1993 our Republican stadium was used not for sport events but for other business. The stadium was used for agricultural purposes. We witnessed those years. There was lack of material and technical basis of sport. The number of those wished to go in for sports was gradually reducing. Famous sportsmen were leaving the country as they were offered better conditions in other countries. All these negative tendencies have later been suppressed, and we started to pursue our policy gradually but with confidence and on the base of deliberate strategy.

Today, sport is developing in Azerbaijan. Azerbaijan has occupied a worthy place in the international community, in sport world. We are cited as an example. Indeed, if you look at the existing practice in other countries, at least those of the region, located in CIS space, you can make sure that such development of sports as in Azerbaijan is observed in none of them. Our athletes’ achievements, construction of new wonderful Olympic complexes, and in all, existing attitude towards sport and sportsmen in Azerbaijan are what constitutes this development.

I believe that thanks to joint activities of the Olympic Committee, the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Tourism and federations, today sportsmen are held in respect in Azerbaijan. This is how it must be. The government, the Ministry, the Olympic Committee and the federations are, of course, take into account the hard work of the sportsmen who show high results, finding solutions to their domestic problems. We are trying to support sportsmen. And we will continue to do so. I hope the 2006 will also be a successful year for our athletes. Serious preparation for the 2008 Summer Olympic Games is underway. In 2006 we are going to more seriously engaged in this issue as the Summer Games will take place in three years.

In a word, having once again analyzed the results of this year, and having familiarized the other day with materials, I have made sure that these good tendencies continue.