OFFICIAL NEWS
PRESIDENT ILHAM ALIYEV’S TRIP TO NAKHCHIVAN AUTONOMOUS REPUBLIC
At the Nakhchivan international airport, the President was warmly welcomed by the Republic’s officials headed by Speaker of the Supreme Majlis Vasif Talybov and thousands of local residents.
From the airport, President Ilham Aliyev arrived at the city of Nakhchivan to attend the official opening of the monument to national leader of the Azerbaijan people and the Heydar Aliyev museum.
He laid flowers at the monument, and then cut a ribbon symbolizing an opening of the museum. The President was informed that the museum’s foundation had been laid on the eve of the 74th anniversary of the great leader’s birth, and officially opened on 10 May in 1999; now it is being reopened after major repair. The museum holds 1103 exhibits including photographs and books reflecting Heydar Aliyev’s life and activities.
The Head of State toured the museum and signed its guest book.
Later the same day, President Ilham Aliyev attended a ceremony to open a Medical and Diagnostic Center in Nakhchivan, which brought together thousands of local residents.
He was informed that the Center covers an area of 1385 square meters, is equipped with advanced medical technology, including for microsurgery, produced by the world’s leading manufacturers, and offers 350 permanent jobs.
President Ilham Aliyev made a speech at the ceremony.
“Both appearance of and equipment installed in this beautiful Center meets the world’s highest standards. It is a kind of an architectural model, and I am sure it will provide the highest quality medical service. I would say, there has never been a center like this in Azerbaijan,” he said.
Touching upon the role of the national leader of Azerbaijan Heydar Aliyev in development of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, the President said:
“Nakhchivan had occupied a special place in Heydar Aliyev’s life. Nakhchivan is Heydar Aliyev’s Motherland: he was born here, and he studied here. He made great contributions to social and economic development of Nakhchivan when he was at the head of Azerbaijan in 1970-80s, and to ensuring stability and security in the Republic when it was under blockade in 1990-1993.”
current situation in Nakhchivan, the Head of State said the Republic is now experiencing the period of rapid social and economic development. He especially mentioned the resumption of natural gas supplies to Nakhchivan.
“Power stations are now under construction in Nakhchivan, and following this meeting we will be attending the opening of a new power plant. Construction of the 87 MW modular power station, reconstruction of the 50 MW station, the 4,5 MW Vayhir station constructed at the Heydar Aliyev Water Reservoir are what has been done over the past period. In other words, Nakhchivan will be capable to ensure its energy security,” he said.
On the current economic situation in the Republic, the President said that is the last four years there has been 5-fold increase in Nakhchivan’s budget. “It means five times more work can be done,” he said.
“The new airport, power stations, schools, roads have been constructed in Nakhchivan, and construction of other infrastructure objects are now underway. We are doing it in every region of Azerbaijan,” the President added.
“The Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline bearing the name of Heydar Aliyev is already functioning. It was the great leader’s initiative that allowed us to achieve the construction of this pipeline. A few days ago, we achieved first gas production from Shah Deniz field, and Azerbaijan’s energy security will be fully ensured,” the Head of State pointed out.
He further said: “Over the past four years, Azerbaijan’s budget has grown 4-fold, and the large-scale projects, large-scale construction activities being implemented in Azerbaijan are funded by the state budget. Construction of this Medical and Diagnostic Center was also funded by the state budget. We no longer apply for loans, but are involved in creating of new objects by mobilizing our own resources, and strengthening financial discipline. The modern medical and diagnostic centers will be constructed in 10 more regions of Azerbaijan.”
“The Azerbaijan’s development strategy will turn our republic into a highly developed country with strong economic potential and international position. This is what I want and try to ensure in my everyday work,” the President underlined.
Having completed his speech, the Head of State cut a ribbon symbolizing an opening of the Center, and toured its facilities.
Afterwards, President Ilham Aliyev arrived at kilometer 8 of the Nakhchivan-Ordubad highway to launch a modular power station. Head of the Joint Stock Company “Azerenergy” Etibar Perverdiyev informed the President that the station covers an area of 12 hectares, has a capacity of 87 megawatt that will ensure electricity supply of Nakhchivan. He added that nearly 1000 people are currently employed in the autonomous republic’s energy sector against 200-250 in the Soviet times.
Then, the President launched the power station by pressing the “start” button. He thanked the constructors and energy workers present here for the excellent job.
On the same, President Ilham Aliyev also attended an opening ceremony for a new building of the Nakhchivan secondary school #7, toured production facilities of the “Jahan Holding” group of companies, was acquainted with a gas-turbine power plant, and launched power station at the Heydar Aliyev Water Reservoir.
