Baku, September 23 (AZERTAC). President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has attended an international event organized by the Association for Civil Society Development in Azerbaijan to mark the country`s 20th anniversary of independence.

The President addressed the event.

He highlighted the challenges Azerbaijan faced in the first years of its independence.

President Aliyev said the country managed to overcome those challenges and the Azerbaijani people made a wise choice by inviting national leader Heydar Aliyev to power in 1993.

The President said it was the national leader`s policy that fostered Azerbaijan`s development, and the country embarked on the path of reforms. He added the national leader`s coming to power also marked the signing of a ceasefire agreement with Armenia.

“In 1994 Azerbaijan signed the Contract of the Century, a crucial factor for the country`s oil industry. By cooperating with the world`s leading energy companies and benefiting from their experience helped us strengthen our economy.”

On the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, the Head of State called it his country`s “greatest problem”.

President Aliyev said the conflict poses a danger not only to Azerbaijan but the whole region.

He noted Azerbaijanis were subjected to Armenians` ethnic cleansing which saw over million Azerbaijanis become refugees and IDPs.

The President expressed regret over the fact “the situation remains unchanged”.

“Resolutions by the United Nations and other international organizations on the conflict have not yet been fulfilled, and remain on paper.”

The Azerbaijani leader called the event participants to widely discuss the issue.

The President emphasized that Azerbaijan is a tolerant country where different nations and faiths co-exist in peace and harmony.

“This is the fact that we are proud of,” he added.

President Aliyev also highlighted the country`s economic achievements.

He said Azerbaijan`s Gross Domestic Product grew at a highest rate.

“The unemployment problem was solved in the country, with the poverty levels decreasing 5-fold. Pensions in Azerbaijan were increased by 40% this year. Our economy today accounts for 70% of South Caucasus` economy.”

On the European Union-Azerbaijan relations, the President stressed that the country cooperates with the organization in many other areas along with energy sphere.

“The relations between the European Union and Azerbaijan are strengthening, they were built on mutual respect and confidence.”

Speaking to the event, President of the Association for Civil Society Development in Azerbaijan, Elkhan Suleymanov, lauded President Ilham Aliyev`s attention to NGOs.

Head of the Presidential Administration`s socio-political affairs, Ali Hasanov, highlighted Azerbaijan`s achievements since independence.

Hasanov praised Azerbaijan`s energy and financial potential.

Other speakers at the event included first deputy chairman of the Milli Majlis Ziyafat Asgarov and deputy Prime Minister Ali Hasanov.

The event brought together over 300 public and political figures from 58 countries, as well as parliamentarians at the European Parliament, Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, OSCE and Euronest, statesmen, Noble Prize laureates, representatives of US regional speakers, former senators and congressmen, scholars and businessmen. 

######