Dear friends, my dear brothers and sisters!

Today I have a very wonderful, very exciting day. I have been awarded the high award, and my dear friend, esteemed Abdullah Gul has presented it to me. On one hand, it means recognition of my services, on the other hand – it’s the most important thing – it is the result of successful development of Azerbaijan over the last several years. Indeed, our country has achieved substantial progress for the short period of time. If to take into account that Azerbaijan regained its state independence as recently as 15 years ago, you can make sure that our country has managed to withstand many severe trials for the short period of time. In 1991, when the Soviet Union collapsed, Azerbaijan possibly was in the most terrible plight comparing with other soviet republics as the crisis that was ruling the country paralyzed practically all spheres of life. Economy in Azerbaijan was experiencing rapid slowdown, political processes caused great tension, threat of civil confrontation became a reality, and people’s living standards were worsening day by day. So, the very fate of the country was questioned; plus the Armenian aggression against Azerbaijan, you can imagine how severe the situation in Azerbaijan was then.

It was since 1993 that successful development of Azerbaijan began. In 1993, after the people of Azerbaijan applied to their leader, and invited Heydar Aliyev to power, the situation in Azerbaijan normalized, stabilized. The political processes began to go their normal course, the economic slowdown was stopped, and the process of all-round development began. Azerbaijan took a worthy place within the international community. The courageous economic reforms implemented in Azerbaijan gave a powerful impetus to the country’s economy very soon. From 1996 to 2003 the annual growth of the Azerbaijan’s economy was 10%, while since 2004 this growth has been even higher.

Political processes in Azerbaijan normalized, with intensification of democratic processes in the country. Freedom of expression, freedom of though, creation of free society, restoration of the rule of law – all this is the most important condition for development of any country. The today’s successful development of Azerbaijan demonstrates that the way we had chosen was right.

For the last two years, the economy of Azerbaijan has been developing even more rapidly. Economic growth was 26% in 2005 and nearly 40% for the past five months of 2006; industrial production increased by 43%. Over 400,000 thousand new jobs have been created for the past two years and a half in Azerbaijan. The number of people living in poverty reduced 20%.

The population’s incomes surged 25%. These economic indicators confirm that economic strengthening of Azerbaijan has become a reality. Considering major economic achievements are yet to come, it is possible to make sure that very soon Azerbaijan will become the economically rich nation. It is our goal, our idea. We want our country to become economically stronger for our people to live better.

Tomorrow, we will hold an historic ceremony together. The inauguration of the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline is slated for tomorrow in Ceyhan. It is a great historical event, world’s biggest energy project. This project will bring not only economic revenues but also ensure peace and stability, and toughen security measures in the region, whereas people living in the countries involved in this project will significantly benefit from that.

By implementing this world-scale energy and political project, Turkey, Georgia, Azerbaijan proved to the world that if there is a unity, mutual trust, if relations are built rightly, any issue can be sorted out. Some people considered the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan project a myth. They did not believe it could be realized and implemented. However, it was realized, implemented even though under extremely complicated and hard conditions. If we look at the territory the pipeline runs through, it will be clear that there were enormous technical difficulties.

Mountains, rivers required a great mobilization, and we did it. We made this legend a reality. How could we do that? That was manifestation of the strong will, economic capabilities, commitment of the international financial structures, as well as the courageous policy of the three countries. I am sure the ceremony that we will mark tomorrow will pave the way for the long-term development of this region. It will be of great benefit to our nations, and the importance of our states will increase in both the region and the world. In other words, Turkey and Azerbaijan will gain more capabilities.

The Shah Deniz project is also of great strategic importance. Maybe several years ago we were not aware of its strategic importance. But for the last period every body saw that this project is very important.

We will realize it until the end of this year and Azerbaijani gas will be transported to Turkey and then to other countries. This shows once again that our work is built in proper way. Our whole policy, all our efforts have a single purpose – to strengthen and enrich our country, strengthen Azerbaijan’s position and live at peace and harmony in the region. The Turkey-Azerbaijan unity is of the greatest importance in this case. After Azerbaijan gained its independence Turkey recognized it as an independent country and then supported Azerbaijan, extended a helping hand to it. We feel this support. We always felt it, especially in early years of independence when Azerbaijan was in extremely difficult situation. This support is of great importance to us today, too. Azerbaijan and Turkey today are supporting each other and strengthening their worldwide position. We are bound up with energy projects, common history, national roots, common views, and unity. These are the elements, which define the development and future of our countries. Today we had opening of monument to great leader Heydar Aliyev in one of the most beautiful parts of Istanbul – in Sariyer. This is an important event, and speaking there I reminded Heydar Aliyev’s famous saying “Turkey and Azerbaijan are one nation, two states” once again.

This is a reality, and on the other hand this is our policy, which lives and will continue to live. Our happiness and our normal life depend on it. Today, we are very close to each other. The Turkey-Azerbaijan relations are, probably, at their highest level. We need to keep these relations and work on new projects of cooperation to make these tendencies continue.

Many things in the region depend on Turkey-Azerbaijan unity, and of course, some questions will depend on it in Europe, too, and our importance will gradually increase.

The Azerbaijani oil has already reached the Turkish port.

In two or three years Azerbaijan will produce 65 million tones of oil yearly. This is a vast figure. Respected Abdullah Gul today noted that Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan have already signed an agreement.

Transportation of Kazakh oil via this route, surely, will be a help to the pipeline. We think about transportation of additional oil in the future, and this can be a reality. Today, we are working on it. We are very actively cooperating with Turkey in construction of the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway, and I’m sure we will realize this project, too. In this case, Turkey will be linked with Azerbaijan and Middle Asia by the railway, and Middle Asia will be linked with Europe. This railway will link Azerbaijan with Turkey, and Europe with Asia. In other words, this project is of great importance. Turkey and Azerbaijan are in the center of this. No project can be realized in the region without our participation.

We are active participants of all the projects, their initiators, and in this case, of course, our influence will rise in the world. Turkey’s successes please us very much, and aspire us. At the same time, I know our Turkish brothers are pleased with successful development of Azerbaijan, as well. Our unity is our future.

Successful development of Azerbaijan is already a reality and I have no doubt that these tendencies will step up and up. Along with this, there are also problems. It is, first of all, connected with stay of Azerbaijani lands under occupancy. You know that for long years the Azerbaijani people suffers from this aggression, from the policy of ethnic cleanse of Armenia against Azerbaijan. There are over one million of refugees and IDPs, 20 percent of our lands have been occupied. The unconstructive stance of Armenia does not allow solving the problem peacefully. Azerbaijan by all means has proved that we adhere to peace process. Despite we have announced ceasefire for 12 years, the negotiations are underway, but all these have no result. That is, in these 12 years, Azerbaijan has demonstrated enough constructiveness, has expressed its peace will, and it is a reality. But how long should we expect? Our patience is not endless, and everlasting. We should use all opportunities - the political, diplomatic, economic and military opportunities. Today, the increasing opportunities of Azerbaijan gives reason to say that we shall solve and the Karabakh question in our favor, fairly, and Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity will be restored.

Dear friends, dear sisters and brothers, I once again express my gratitude for this high Award, once again express my pleasure for being in Turkey, and deep respect and love to the whole people of Turkey. Thank you very much.

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Then, President Ilham Aliyev handed over the “Businessman of the Year in Turkey” and the “Business Woman of the Year in Turkey” awards to the recipients, and was photographed together with them.