OFFICIAL NEWS
SOLEMN CEREMONY OF PUTTING INTO OPERATION OF “PRESIDENT HEYDAR ALIYEV” OIL TANKER
PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF AZERBAIJAN PARTICIPATED IN THE CEREMONY
The Azerbaijani leader first familiarized with the “President Heydar Aliyev” oil tanker. He was informed that the 150 meters long tanker with displacement of over 13 thousand tons constructed by request of the Azerbaijan State Caspian Shipping Company by the Russia’s “Krasnoye Sormovo” shipyard will be used to carry Kazakh oil to Azerbaijan.
The Head of State also viewed the Heydar Aliyev museum established on the ship and demonstrating photos and documents reflected various periods of political activities of the national leader of Azerbaijan. After that, the Head of State pressed a button symbolizing putting the tanker into operation.
The ceremony was opened by president of the Azerbaijan State Caspian Shipping Company Aidyn Bashirov. Other speakers were Director of the “Krasnoye Sormovo” shipyard Nikolay Zharkov, Governor of the Nizhniy Novgorog oblast of Russia Gennadiy Khodyrev and Captain of the “President Heydar Aliyev” oil tanker Salim Jamayev.
President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev delivered a speech to the ceremony.
The Head of State described this day as very remarkable and congratulated the audience on the occasion of the putting into operation of the oil tanker bearing the name of national leader Heydar Aliyev. He noted that Heydar Aliyev always - irrespective of the political system - served his people in a worthy manner. According to him, great steps were taken 1970s to create and strengthen the modern infrastructure of Azerbaijan including forming of the industrial potential of the country, building various industrial enterprises and social objects. Azerbaijan was among few republics of the Soviet Union able to support itself economically, to exist owing to its own production, he said.
The President also pointed Heydar Aliyev’s invaluable merits after his return to power in early 90s. Since 1993, our country has been developing from year to year with visual progress in all spheres, he said. The socio-political stability and public order existing in the country since 1993, according to the Azerbaijani leader, are one of the main prerequisites of the country’s economic achievements. No economic or other achievements are possible in a politically unstable country, he said. President Ilham Aliyev stressed that the goal of the Heydar Aliyev’s oil strategy aimed to convert Azerbaijan into the environment attractive for foreign investments, create a new infrastructure, deliver the country’s own natural resources to the world markets and therefore strengthen it both economically and politically. This task is being worthily solved today, he said, and the realization of the “Contract of the Century” initiated by Heydar Aliyev, large-scale oil pipeline and other projects allow our country to further reinforce its economic potential.
The President noted that development of transport infrastructure has also been a constant focus of attention. Having mentioned that geopolitical situation of Azerbaijan demands a well-developed transport infrastructure, he stressed the attention national leader Heydar Aliyev had given to this sector since 1993, has promoted its rapid development. The Caspian Shipping Company is now operating very well and has highly skilled personnel, he said. As an example, the President cited launching the tankers “Professor Aziz Aliyev” with displacement of 8 thousand tons, “Jalil Mammadgulizade” and dry cargo ship “Maestro Niyazi”. The nest oil tanker “Babek” with displacement of 13 thousand tons will be delivered in the near future, he said.
The Head of State highly valued the development of other transport infrastructures in Azerbaijan including railway, air and motor transports. The whole infrastructure must be modernized in Azerbaijan, he said.
President Ilham Aliyev also touched upon development of Azerbaijan-Russia relations. He noted that trade and economic cooperation between the two countries is expanding from year to year. In 2003, growth of goods turnover between our countries was 40 %, and over the nine months of this year it has made up 20%, he said.
The Head of Sate expressed gratitude to the Governor of Nizhniy Novgorod oblast of Russia Gennadiy Khodyrev for coming to Baku to participate in the ceremony.
In conclusion, President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev once again congratulated participants of the event and wished the crew of the tanker “President Heydar Aliyev” and personnel of the Caspian Shipping Company every success.
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Afterwards, President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev presented seamen Aidyn Bashirov, Hagigat Gasymova, Yashar Dadashov and Akif Babayev with “Shohrat” /Glory/ Order conferred on them for their special services by the Decree of 4 July 2003 issued by President Heydar Aliyev on the occasion of the 145th anniversary of the Azerbaijan State Caspian Shipping Company.
Present at the ceremony were Prime Minister Artur Rasizade, Chief of the President’s Administration Ramiz Mehdiyev, Ministers and Heads of Committees.
With the ceremony completed, President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev responded to questions from journalists.