Barda, March 12, AZERTAC

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has attended the opening of Barda “ASAN xidmət” regional center of the State Agency for Public Service and Social Innovations.

The head of state was told that the construction of Barda “ASAN xidmət” regional center started in April 2014 and was completed this March. The four-storey center is located on the Heydar Aliyev Avenue close to city infrastructure facilities.

President Ilham Aliyev cut the ribbon symbolizing the official opening of the center.

Barda “ASAN xidmət” regional center received an international certificate in accordance with OHSAS 18001: 2007 standard this year.

There are seven “ASAN xidmət” centers in the country - four in Baku, and three in Sumgayit, Ganja and Sabirabad. Barda “ASAN xidmət” regional center is the eighth such center.

President Ilham Aliyev reviewed the center. It was noted that the facility will serve nearly 800,000 people in Barda, Aghdam, Aghjabadi, Lachin, Yevlakh and Tartar.

The head of state was informed of “ASAN school” project, which will be implemented by the Ministry of Education.

President Ilham Aliyev viewed new projects in the center`s Innovations hall.

Barda “ASAN xidmət” regional center will employ 170 people, including 60 volunteers. There is a library, a cafe, a mother and child`s room, a children`s entertainment zone.

President Ilham Aliyev met Barda residents.

Greeting the ceremony participants, President of the Republic of

Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev said:

- I am very pleased and glad to come to Barda again. I have repeatedly visited Barda before. Every time I come here, we celebrate the opening of remarkable facilities. The “ASAN xidmət” service center has been launched in Barda today. I heartily congratulate you on this wonderful event.

It is a beautiful building. It adorns the city. The interior design is also very good. Most importantly, it will provide high-level services. This is the eighth “ASAN xidmət” service center. Four of them are functioning in Baku. Three are in the regions: Ganja, Sumgayit and Sabirabad. The fourth has also been opened in the region, namely in Barda. Two centers are under construction in Gabala and Baku. I am sure that another one will be built in Masalli in the near future. Thus, “ASAN xidmət” service centers will operate throughout the country.

The launch of an “ASAN xidmət” service center in Barda is, of course, of particular importance. This wonderful service now begins to operate in the Karabakh region. Today we are gathered for its official opening. After Novruz it will already begin to take people’s applications.

Resident: Thank you, Mr. President. We are very grateful to you.

President Ilham Aliyev: This is a wonderful event. “ASAN xidmət” is a product of Azerbaijan. It has been operating for a little over two years. The figures shown on this stand today - as you can see, a total of 4,120,000 applications have been made - are gradually increasing. The number of applications is indicated on this stand - 4,120,000. About 4 million people have applied for help and have been provided with a great service without bureaucracy and corruption, in a comfortable and polite manner. “ASAN xidmət” has actually created a watershed in the field of public services and public relations as a whole. Today, the world's leading financial structures appreciate our experience and recommend the use of this experience in other countries. Today, Azerbaijan both creates and exports its intellectual product. This is really a great event.

In general, all work being done in Azerbaijan is done in a modern fashion. Our country is modernizing and developing. The launch of “ASAN xidmət” shows our intentions. We want our people to live comfortably and enjoy the most wonderful services. Azerbaijani citizens work in the service center and provide a high level of service. “ASAN xidmət” plays a very important role in the fight against corruption and bribery. At the same time, this center applies new technologies and innovations. This is the eighth center I am inaugurating. Every time a new service is introduced. It is then widely used. In other words, the appearance of innovation, new ideas and new approaches pleases me a lot, because Azerbaijan has to develop in this way. We have excellent natural opportunities, resources and talented people.

At the same time, this service employs hundreds of Azerbaijani youths. During the opening of the previous center in Sabirabad we also held a forum volunteers. This is also a novelty. Azerbaijan has already created a group of volunteers. These young people are interested in helping others. This is a great intention. This is an innovation in the field of public relations in Azerbaijan. Volunteers are also our talent pool.

The presentation I was shown today says that the system “ASAN kadr” has already started functioning. The capacities of all volunteers and all the information associated with them is now concentrated in a single system. Both government agencies and private companies interested in hiring trained personnel refer to this system. I am told that more than 400 volunteers have been provided with jobs. This is our talent pool and it means education of youth. Indeed, anyone who volunteers to perform a job deserves a lot of respect.

Young people work successfully in this center. The vast majority of personnel in these centers are youths, Azerbaijani youths. The fate of our country will be in their hands in the future. Therefore, they need to be knowledgeable and literate from a young age, attached to the country and stay in touch with people. As you can see, as a result of the operation of “ASAN xidmət” we have already achieved several goals: innovation, public service, the fight against bribery, renewal, modernization, creation of a group of volunteers, and the development of our regions. Now this sector is making an impact on other areas. Therefore, the creation of this service pleases me infinitely, because in recent years Azerbaijan has done a lot in the economic, social and other fields. For example, we have celebrated the opening of a new IDP settlement in Barda today.

However, this sphere is of particular importance because new technology and innovation usually come to us from abroad. This is natural: developed countries are the owners of an intellectual product. They create and invent an intellectual product. These countries, of course, have great traditions, a developed industry and a fairly high level of scientific thought. Therefore, it is usually developed countries that create intellectual products and then sell them to other countries. But this intellectual product was created in Azerbaijan. It testifies to the intellectual level of our people and a steady development of Azerbaijan. I am glad that there is already an “ASAN xidmət” center in Karabakh and that this service center will provide services to residents of all the surrounding areas, including the IDPs. I am sure that it will please the people of Barda.

RESIDENT: Inshallah, thanks to you and under your leadership. We are grateful to you, Mr. President. We are proud of you. Thank you very much.

President Ilham Aliyev: Thank you. I am also very pleased to be in Barda again, to be on our native Karabakh soil. I am sure that Azerbaijan's territorial integrity will be restored. To achieve this, we must become even stronger, because you know that we have repeatedly held an exchange of views on this issue. International law supports the position of Azerbaijan. Historical justice is also on our side. Nagorno-Karabakh is native Azerbaijani land. The decisions and resolutions adopted by international organizations support our position. The Declaration on Strategic Partnership we signed with the President of Pakistan yesterday also reflects the settlement of the conflict within the framework of territorial integrity and sovereignty of Azerbaijan. Earlier this month, a declaration on strategic partnership was also adopted in Bulgaria. It reflects the same: sovereignty and territorial integrity of Azerbaijan, inviolability of borders.

So if the issue was addressed within the framework of international law, it would have long been resolved. First of all, the point is that Armenia ignores international law and does not comply with these resolutions. This being the case, we should rely and we rely only on our own strength. Army building, a strong economy and strong political positions bring our victory closer with each passing day. In recent months, Azerbaijan has secured complete advantage at the contact line. Our army and young people serving in the army defend their homeland with dignity, dealing very strong blows to the enemy.

And so it should be. Nagorno-Karabakh is an integral part of Azerbaijan, and this is the focus of our public attention. The accord observed in society today, mobilization, and our economic and military power - these are the key factors for our victory. We will restore our territorial integrity by all means. I am sure of that - we will create an “ASAN xidmət” center in Shusha.

RESIDENTS: God willing, under your leadership. Thank you very much. Thank you.

President Ilham Aliyev: I heartily congratulate you on the opening of this remarkable center again. Other activities are also planned for today. We are building roads in Barda, country roads, community and social facilities, schools are being built, historical monuments are being restored. Beautiful homes for refugees are built, centers are being established, including the Olympic center and a hospital.

RESIDENT: It is the largest pre-holiday gift to us.

President Ilham Aliyev: Of course, we first planned to establish regional centers. Naturally, a number of regions have been selected. After Baku, first of all the Ganja center covers a region. Sumgayit is a large city. The Sabirabad center covers a region. After that we certainly had to consider the Karabakh region. So “ASAN xidmət” is now available in Karabakh. As I said, the next centers will be established in Gabala, Masalli, and next year probably in the northern zone. This is the first stage. At the same time, we provide mobile services on the ground. In earlier times buses probably came to Barda as well. When there is such a center, there is no need for a bus. Congratulations on your upcoming holiday.

RESIDENT: Thank you, Mr. President, happy holidays to you too.

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Then a photo was taken.