SPEECH OF AZERBAIJAN PRESIDENT ILHAM ALIYEV
Dear friends!
I intimately congratulate you on the occasion of the national holiday of Azerbaijan - Day of Republic. I wish all the Azerbaijani people peace, tranquility and welfare.
In May 1918, was founded the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic. Creation of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic was extremely important and significant event in our history. For the first time in the Islamic world the democratic Republic was created, Azerbaijan people found its independence. Our country became a member of the world community. It was extremely significant event. Our people very highly estimate activity of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic and contributions of its founders.
But the Democratic Republic has existed not for long, after about two years the young Republic has fallen. Only in 1991, after collapse of Soviet Union, Azerbaijan regained state independence. It was very difficult years for our country. In comparison with other former Soviet republics Azerbaijan appeared in heavier conditions. Aggression of Armenia against Azerbaijan, occupation of our lands, negative processes in the country have led to occurrence in our country of the extremely difficult position. Besides, as a result of unsatisfactory activity of the incompetent, unable management, the country experienced crisis – economic, political and military crisis. The chaos, anarchy dominated. As a whole, Azerbaijan as the independent state could be erased from the ground.
In such conditions, the national leader of our people Heydar Aliyev on demand of the insisting people has come back to power. All negative tendencies has been put an end, political stability was established, the social order restored, the illegal armed formations disarmed, in the country the law and order was established. To carry out all this, certainly, first of all was necessary the will of Heydar Aliyev, courage and support of Azerbaijan people. Azerbaijan people have believed in the leader, and with the support of people in Azerbaijan, great creative work was launched.
For maintenance of development at each country, first of all, there should be stability, supremacy of law, discipline. In Azerbaijan, all these factors have been established, and our country has reached the way of development. The country has received prompt economic development. The major factor describing economy - volume of GDP for last 7 years has increased for 90 percent. The large-scale program of privatization has been carried out and this goes on.
Our country has made important steps for delivery of the oil resources to the world markets. 10 years ago in this palace "Gulistan» the “Contract of the Century” has been signed, and Heydar Aliyev’s oil strategy started. After the “Contract of the Century”, to Azerbaijan were put large foreign investments that has allowed achieving all-around development of our country. Today, Azerbaijan in comparison with neighboring countries, former Soviet republics is in the lead on volume of foreign investments per capita.
After these projects, were realized other projects of Azerbaijan representing great value for our country and entire region. There started construction of the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline representing great value for entire all world. For anybody it is not the secret, that the initiator and the architect of construction of BTC oil pipeline is the national leader of our people Heydar Aliyev. Not casually, members of the BTC Company named this pipeline after Heydar Aliyev.
Azerbaijan managed to overcome international isolation. Once our country was in the condition of isolation from the world, regional processes. Azerbaijan managed to establish bilateral relations with various countries and become valuable member of the international community. Position of our country have become stronger, Azerbaijan became a member of the various regional and international organizations, takes active part in them.
The important steps have been undertaken in the field of army construction. Until 1993, situation in the army was extremely difficult. Azerbaijan had no army, there were separate formations carried out independent activity. Today, the Azerbaijan army meets highest standards, and it has turned to professional army and is capable to solve any problem. Steps are undertaken in the field of settlement of the Armenia-Azerbaijan, Nagorny Karabakh conflict. Ceasefire that has allowed us to develop our country in quiet conditions has been achieved.
In a word, the work done in Azerbaijan for these 11 years, the policy pursued for the country find positive acknowledgement. Azerbaijan people gives its voices for this policy, approves it. This policy lives and today, it is necessary to carry out this policy in Azerbaijan long years in the name of the happy future of our country”.
Then, President of Azerbaijan gave full analysis of socio-political life in the Country after the Presidential elections, dwelt on the international raise of Azerbaijan’s policy, on his visits to foreign countries, cooperation with the international an regional organizations, including the Council of Europe, European Union, NATO and others.
President Ilham Aliyev also touched upon the urgent social problems, in particular, poverty reduction, opening of new working places, condition of the refugees and IDPs, cultural-educational aspects of social life in the Republic.
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Foreign ambassadors accredited in Azerbaijan, heads of religious communities congratulated President of Azerbaijan on the occasion of the day of Republic.
Ambassador of Georgia Zurab Gumberidze made congratulatory address to the Head of Azerbaijan State.
President Ilham Aliyev met public representatives, MPs, men of intelligentsia – writers, artists as well as sportsmen, and was taken his photo in memory.
Chairman of Milli Majlis Murtuz Alaskarov, Prime Minister Artur Rasizade, head of President Administration Ramiz Mehdiyev attended the official reception.
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