“The first democratic republic in the Muslim East was established 90 years ago. This event was of enormous historical significance. Establishment of the democratic republic for the first time in the region was a great achievement of Azerbaijani people,” the President said.

The Head of State noted the Democratic Republic`s fall was inevitable and during 70 years Azerbaijan existed as a socialist republic within the Soviet Union.

“…But we were unable to live as an independent state. The people of Azerbaijan lived with hopes which were realized in 1991 when they restored their independence with the collapse of the Soviet Union. But those years were very difficult. There were internal clashes in Azerbaijan, struggle for power, industrial downturn, there was a total crisis... In addition, the occupation of part of our territories as a result of the Armenian separatists` policy of aggression against Azerbaijan - which started several years before the fall of the Soviet Union - put out country in a very critical situation.”

“We were on the verge of losing our independence. But the people of Azerbaijan proved their wisdom by inviting national leader Heydar Aliyev to take political power in the country. And it was what allowed Azerbaijan to stabilize the situation, overcome all difficulties and embark on the path towards development.

The years 1993-2003 marked the era of stability and development in the history of Azerbaijan. These years saw the founding of statehood and marked considerable achievements in the process of building a constitutional state and carrying out economic reforms. Azerbaijan started integrating into the international community. Those years were very critical from the point of view of strengthening Azerbaijan`s international profile.”

The President highlighted the country`s achievements in economy and oil industry: “We`ve made tremendous successes in diversifying our economy. We`ve been a success in using the oil-and-gas factor to ensure all-round development of the country.”

“All regional cooperation projects initiated by us are being successfully implemented. All initiatives in energy, transport, humanitarian fields help strengthen regional cooperation. The nature of our foreign policy is that we try to deepen relations with all countries based on mutual respect and we achieved it in the region. Increasing number of our partners shows we are pursuing a very successful foreign policy.”

“All tasks concerning economic reforms are being successfully fulfilled. Azerbaijan`s economic growth rates were the world`s highest in 2004-2009. During these years, our economy grew 3-fold. Majority of serious social problems facing the country have been solved. Fight against unemployment is producing good results. The practical work has been done to reduce poverty. I am sure that these two big troubles will no longer exist in the history of Azerbaijan.”

“Azerbaijan is the country, which managed to escape the effects of the economic crisis with the least losses suffered. Despite the crisis, dramatic fall in world oil prices, our economy grew by 9.3% last year.”

The President pointed out that the world community`s praising economic reforms in the country shows that “a deliberate policy lies behind country`s successes”.

“We will continue our successful economic policy. This helps us cope with every task we face and also pursue a strong social policy. Despite the fact last year marked a global crisis, we haven`t postponed the implementation of a single social program, we`ve ensured the stability of our currency and the citizens of Azerbaijan were those who suffered from the crisis the least.

And we will continue our strong social policy, and we will enjoy wider economic opportunities in future. We have large financial resources, currency reserves and a well considered strategic course to get this done.”

“... And we`ve been playing a very important role from the point of view of energy security, I believe the realization of new projects, both in the region and the continent, will allow Azerbaijan to use its energy resources on a larger scale.”

The President also touched upon the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, calling it “a major problem we face”.

“We`ve been working tirelessly in this regard. We`ve been demonstrating a principal position since the start of the negotiations. We haven`t taken a step back from our principal stance. It is based on international legal norms, resolutions and decisions of international organizations, and we`ve been exploiting all our potentialities to ensure the restoration of Azerbaijan`s territorial integrity.

And the opposite side`s position is based on their illusions, which, of course, cannot be the basis for the settlement of the conflict. And what strengthens our position is resolutions by the UN Security Council and other international organizations. This conflict must be solved on the basis of Azerbaijan`s territorial integrity. All occupied territories of Azerbaijan must be liberated. Azerbaijani IDPs must return to their native lands, including the Nagorno-Karabakh. And what for Nagorno-Karabakh, the Armenian and Azerbaijani communities must live here on the basis of a high autonomy status, within just one Azerbaijani state. This is a principal position, and it is based on the international legal norms and principles accepted by the international community.

As you know, recently the Organization of the Islamic Conference has adopted very positive and strong resolutions on the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. They fully support Azerbaijan`s positions, they back justice. A week ago the European Parliament adopted a resolution making references to the international legal norms and describing Armenia as an aggressor state. It clearly points out that it is unacceptable to violate a state`s borders by using force, and that it is unacceptable to reconcile yourself to a status-quo. It declares that this situation of no peace and no war cannot go on, that Azerbaijan`s lands must be freed from occupation. And it is what makes our position stronger and once again shows that the international community - both the Muslim world and the European Union - share a single stance, a just stance.

We are very well aware that these resolutions and political steps have put Armenia in a great anxiety, the Armenians saw big blows hit their propaganda and such a hysterical reaction from them is a vivid evidence of this. If it was not so, Armenian officials would not have made such silly and groundless comments on the European Parliament`s resolution. They say that this resolution contradicts the Madrid principles. On the contrary, it completely meets the Madrid principles and norms of international law. And this proves that Armenia really got very hysterical and need doing something concrete to get out of this situation.

The international community`s assessment of the illegal and so-called elections held by the separatist regime in Nagorno-Karabakh once again proves that the world does not and will never accept separatism and recognize the independence of Nagorno-Karabakh.”

The Azerbaijani Leader noted Minsk Group co-chairs, European Union, Organization of the Islamic Conference, neighboring countries, Council of Europe, all international community condemned the so-called elections and reiterated their support for Azerbaijan`s territorial integrity.

“Under these circumstances, Azerbaijan will continue its principled position. Our stance is based on international legal norms and we will never backtrack from it.”

“Ongoing processes in the region once more show that no cooperation with participation of Armenia is possible in the region without resolution of the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh.”

The Head of State underlined Turkey`s principled position on opening of borders foiled Armenia`s plans to put Karabakh issue aside.

“No doubt, the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict will remain a priority of our policy. We put all our efforts into finding a soonest, fair solution based on international norms, liberating our lands from invaders and restoring territorial integrity of Azerbaijan.”

“It is we who built this country, the people of Azerbaijan. We, every citizen of Azerbaijan must do everything by our work to strengthen independence, make it eternal so that people of Azerbaijan could live in prosperity, live freely, independently for decades, for centuries,” the President added.

In conclusion, President Ilham Aliyev congratulated the people of Azerbaijan on the Republic Day.

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The President`s speech was followed by a ceremony to present state awards to those who distinguished themselves in science, culture and literature.

The official reception ended with a concert.

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