President of Azerbaijan attended an inauguration of Heydar Aliyev Museum located in the Heydar Aliyev Park in Barda. The displays indicating that in 1970-80s and 1990s Heydar Aliyev made 14 trips to Barda, occupy a special place in the museum. The museum also contains Heydar Aliyev’s family photographs, those reflecting the great leader’s life and activities including his visits to foreign countries, implementation of the oil strategy as the basis of Azerbaijan’s economic development, as well as President Ilham Aliyev’s trips to Barda.

President Ilham Aliyev made a record in the Book for Honored Guests of the museums.

Later, the Azerbaijani leader met with the public of Barda. Addressing the meeting, he in particular said:

This museum is a wonderful architectural monument; at the same time its displays reflect life and activities of Heydar Aliyev. I am particularly glad that such a beautiful museum has been constructed in Barda, and today we are marking its opening. You are well aware that Heydar Aliyev used to be very attentive to Barda, and treated its residents with love and care. It was not accidental that when leading Azerbaijan in 1970s, he used to visit Barda every year, sometimes even twice a year. I remember, he visited Barda in 1990s as well, and had wonderful meetings here.

Barda is very important, historic town of Azerbaijan. It is very dear town for every Azerbaijani; it is the land of Karabakh. Attitude to Barda and its people, traditions laid by the great leader are being continued today. This is my third trip to Barda over the last two years and a half. I am very glad that every time we come to Barda, we open new beautiful buildings, museums, sports facilities, schools, hospitals, and lay foundation stones of new objects. In 2003, we marked opening a large Sport Olympic complex; in 2004, we commissioned a beautiful school and Olympic complex. Today, this beautiful museum opens its door.

We are also going to lay a foundation stone of the modern diagnostics and medical center. Several industrial enterprises have recently been opened in Barda. New jobs have been created, and businesses have started here. On the one hand, the town’s industrial potential is being strengthened, beautiful architectural monuments are mounted, on the other hand, new schools, hospitals and roads are constructed. This is what we can see in all towns and regions of Azerbaijan. We want these processes to be more intensive, and people’s welfare to improve even more rapidly; for the people of Azerbaijan to live in peace and stability. This is our objective. This is the Heydar Aliyev’s path.

The severe crisis Azerbaijan faced in early 1990s, in fact, was leading the country to the collapse. It was Heydar Aliyev’s return to power in Azerbaijan that marked the start of the era of development in the country. Today we are living in that era: much work is being done in the country to improve welfare, and to develop social sector. At the same time, our economic potential is being strengthened. Our growing budget allows us to raise social payments, wages and pensions. However, this growth does not yet satisfy our needs, but progress is evident. We can see high rate of growth.

I am sure that every citizen of Azerbaijan will live better every year. There are strong arguments, facts allowing us to say so. We know in advance what will be done in Azerbaijan in 2006, 2007, 2008 and following years as it was us who set those outstanding tasks.

The Program of regional development has been successfully implementing in Azerbaijan for two years, and we can say that the work to open businesses, build power plants, and create new jobs and social infrastructure is being carried out in all regions of Azerbaijan. With successful implementation of this program, solution to other problems occurred over the last two years will be found.

As you know, the program of regional development is very important part of my activities. On the eve of the presidential elections in 2003, I put this program forward and shared my thoughts and ideas with voters. I stated 600.000 new jobs will be created in Azerbaijan in five years; 340.000 ones have been created for only two years passed. I stated not a single camp would exist in Azerbaijan. In the morning we marked the opening of new wonderful settlement in Agdam, so we can see that very soon not a single camp will exist in Azerbaijan. I stated that poverty will be reduced and then eliminated in Azerbaijan. Over the last two years, the number of poor people fell from 49% to 29%. All this is reality, truth, a fact.

The Heydar Aliyev’s oil strategy is being successfully continued too. Despite the serious problems it faced at various stages of its implementations, the artificially created obstacles, Azerbaijan has remained committed to its strategic course. No force can make us turn off this path.

Our position is and will remain unchangeable with regard to the Armenia-Azerbaijan, Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. Our cause is right, territorial integrity of Azerbaijan must be restored. The occupied lands must be released for our compatriots to return to their homes, including in Nagorny Karabakh. I am sure we will achieve this goal. Today I have visited Nagorny Karabakh, Agdara region. I was there with soldiers in trenches. We do not need other lands, but we will not give ours to anyone.

I want to repeat, I am trying to fulfill all the obligations I assumed in 2003, doing all possible – by my own labor and with people’s support – for Azerbaijan to become more powerful.

Today, Azerbaijan is experiencing very good socio-political situation. Unity, mutual understanding between people and power gives a powerful impetus, and helps our work. I count on it, and rest on this support. Azerbaijan’s position, including in the international scale, could have been weak without this support. This is what makes us strong. Our strength is that resting on the people’s good will, I can pursue independent policy of Azerbaijan very resolutely. It is a problem for some countries of the region to pursue an independent policy. Azerbaijan is doing so in line with its national interests.

The region is not so stable, as a whole. The conflicts existing here cause our serious concern. In Azerbaijan, we have stability, unity, peace and development. No development is possible without it. Neither a local nor a foreign investor will make investments in unstable country. If they are not sure this policy will be continued tomorrow, in five or ten years, they will never invest in our country.

Today, all the investors are sure of that. That’s why billions of dollars of both local and foreign investments are made in Azerbaijan. Azerbaijan is a leader in the volume of per capita investments. Azerbaijan has highest rate of economic growth. Industrial production raised 33 percent.

Our successful oil strategy yields its fruits. This year, the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline bearing the name of Heydar Aliyev will be put into operation. It will bring us extra financial resources that will serve our nation, promote all-round development of our country. The funds will be spent on construction of new enterprises, schools, hospitals, sports complexes, cultural establishments, power plants, roads, gas and water pipes.

Over 300 new schools were built last year alone. Today, construction of a modern medical and diagnostic center is starting in Barda.

I look ahead with optimism. I don’t see any serious problems or obstacles since all the work planned has been realized.

In the future, we will be engaged in greater work. The whole society must be mobilized. Every official, every public figure, every citizen must contribute to our common deed. Of course, much depends on local personnel. Local heads must seriously approach their work, be involved in realization of our economic and social programs, and follow our instructions. They must be attentive and careful towards ordinary people, take active part in the programs aimed at ensuring sustainable development. This is the only way we can achieve our goals. If every official performs his duties honestly, then all the problems existing in Azerbaijan can be resolved.

What else I want to let you know is that I get a lot of letters from residents while visiting regions. My representatives are now here in Barda. In Agdam and Tartar I got letters myself. All the letters are considered, and we try to react to the questions raised in them as soon as possible.

Analysis of these letters shows the number of complaints in them reduces - they mainly contain requests. Some ask for material aid, others for assistance with medical treatment. In other words, this analysis demonstrates that the reforms implemented in our country already yield fruit. The less is the number of complains the better is the atmosphere, socio-political situation in the region or town. I am sure that all the problems the people face in Azerbaijan will be gradually resolved.

President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev attended the same day a ceremony of laying a foundation stone of the Medical and Diagnostic Center, whose construction will be funded by the State Oil Company of the Azerbaijan. The Head of State was informed that equipment for the center would be delivered from European countries and installed by the world’s high-profile companies, and that it will be provided with ambulances. President Ilham Aliyev familiarized himself with the construction project and gave appropriate recommendations. Then, the Head of State laid a foundation stone of the Center by placing a time capsule into the cavity and covering it with liquid concrete.