President Ilham Aliyev today has made a trip to Agdam, Tartar and Barda regions. In Agdam, he visited settlement Dordyol-1 newly built here for refugees and internally displaced persons (IDP).

Deputy Prime Minister, Chairman of the State Committee on Refugees and IDPs Ali Hasanov let the President know that 1160 houses had been built in the settlement, and familiarized him with models of objects to be commissioned here in 2006. He said that 3860 refugee families will move to new houses as soon as construction activities are complete in 13 settlements. Ali Hasanov also advised that construction involved the workforce of about 20 000.

The President met with builders and praised their work. He said more orders will be placed in the construction companies whose work is of a high quality.

President Ilham Aliyev and members of his family arrived in the settlement Guzanly to visit the monument to national leader Heydar Aliyev mounted in front of the office of local government. The Head of State laid a bouquet of flowers at the monument.

In Guzanly, the President also attended a ceremony of laying a foundation stone of the Olympic Sport Complex. At the construction site he met and talked with heads of the companies involved in the works. He was informed here that construction of the Complex to cover the area of 2 hectares and incorporate modern sports facilities will take two years, and that over 120 people are involved in the work. The President stressed it is very important that the Complex meets international standards. The Head of State laid a foundation stone by covering a time capsule with liquid concrete.

The same day, President Ilham Aliyev arrived in the newly built settlement Banovshalar. Here, he was a guest of Karabakh war disabled veteran Shakir Aliyev, visited Agdam middle school #2, and took part in the opening ceremony of the settlement. The President was informed that 1893 displaced persons had been moved to 460 houses built here.

President Ilham Aliyev made a speech at the ceremony.

“In my pre-election statements I told that not a single camp should left in Azerbaijan, and that refugees and displaced persons - the people who live in worst conditions - should be moved to new houses. Opening this settlement today, the planned building of other ones in the future, demonstrates that all our promises are fulfilled,” the President said.

“Much work is being done in Azerbaijan to resolve social problems. The Program of regional development is successfully going on; as a result, the number of people living in poverty reduced drastically. Unemployment rate has also reduced among refugees and internally displaced persons. This means we have all financial possibilities to resolve economic and social problems in Azerbaijan. We have deliberate program covering all spheres…” he said.

“I don’t see any serious problem our country might face. Azerbaijan’s hardest problem is that of Nagorno-Karabakh. As you know, negotiations have been held for many years, but have yielded no results. Since ceasefire in 1994, Azerbaijan has always been devoted to peace talks, and some steps forward were taken at some stages. The recent developments, however, show that Armenia has no interest in settlement trying to stall for time, and mislead the international community. As a matter fact, the negotiations have reached a dead end because of Armenia’s destructive stance. In this case, Azerbaijan has to review its policy; we have to think what to do next. As you know we are a side, which is interested in settling the issue within diplomatic, political framework, but at the same time, we must be prepared for other developments, options… Solution to this conflict can only be found in the framework of territorial integrity of Azerbaijan. Nagorny Karabakh is an Azerbaijani land, which has to be a home for both Armenians and Azerbaijanis, who will return there after the conflict is resolved. Their security must be insured. If necessary, peacekeeping forces can be involved, but maybe there will be no need for that. Anyway, Nagorny Karabakh cannot be separated from Azerbaijan,” President Aliyev said.