Dear members of parliament!

Today, the Milli Majlis is going to commence its work. I cordially congratulate all of you on this occasion.

Yesterday, the Constitutional Court confirmed the results of the elections. Thus, the deputies elected to the Milli Majlis are going to start their activities. In general, the parliamentary elections played a very important role in democratic development of Azerbaijan. The elections were held in a transparent and fair manner that will pave the way for all-round development of Azerbaijan, for the political processes to run more intensively in Azerbaijan, for continuation of democratic reforms in the country, and in all, will allow Azerbaijan to turn into a democratic state.

Standing today on this rostrum I would like to touch on the activities of the Milli Majlis of the second call. Elected in 2000, the Milli Majlis and its member have done much work, fruitful work. A plenty of laws have been passed in Azerbaijan over the last 5 years that have created an excellent legislative basis for all-round development of our country. I think the laws passed will continue to play an important part in development of our country, and as a whole, a very extensive legislative basis will be created in Azerbaijan.

Developed countries, the countries with great parliamentary traditions also have a broad legislative basis. But situation in Azerbaijan is different. We had no laws when Azerbaijan just started to live as an independent state. The process of lawmaking was given impetus after we adopted our constitution in 1995. The issue of passing new laws was of great significance in Azerbaijan; because laws play a key role in every country’s life.

We are building a legal state in Azerbaijan, and this is why supremacy of law must be above all.

From this standpoint, the activity of the second call Milli Majlis were very positive. The Milli Majlis commissions worked hard and fruitfully. Heads of the Milli Majlis, its Speaker Murtuz Alasgarov and his deputies did great job. I would like to thank them for that.

At the same time, Azerbaijan – for the last 5 years – has joined a number of international conventions. This is part of our policy towards integration into the global community, the European structures. The new advanced laws adopted in Azerbaijan within the last 5 years have given powerful impetus to democratic development of our country, and today we can witness the results of that.

Today, the Milli Majlis of the third call starts working. I hope you will continue the traditions of the modern parliament now being formed in Azerbaijan.

The 2005 parliamentary elections became a very important event in our country’s life. Over the few months of the run-up to the lections, the political processes in the country were speeded up, and the country became stronger form the standpoint of democratic development.

Everything was done to ensure transparent and fair elections; as a result, in general, the elections were held fairly and transparently, and new deputies got their mandates. Over this period, both relevant Orders were signed and there were a lot of innovations in the campaign. The freedom of assembly was ensured, and in almost all the regions of Azerbaijan, candidates kept in touch and met with their voters. In a number of cases, it was impossible because of deliberate actions.

Registration of 2000 candidates itself was a display of population’s trust in the parliamentary elections as, otherwise, 2000 people would never join the process. The press was active enough in the election campaign. This is an innovation too. I can say that from this viewpoint, we even took the lead over developed countries, as in the developed countries, in European states, private TV channels do not take part in election campaigns. They provide air to candidates only during advertising time. In Azerbaijan, all the private channels were actively involved in the election campaign. There were other innovations as well. For the first time, exit-poll was conducted in Azerbaijan. In addition, finger inking was used.

In a word, all measures were taken to hold transparent elections in Azerbaijan, avoid fraud so that even however occurs, it could not be hidden. The results have confirmed that. In those constituencies, where irregularities, illegal interfere or fraud took place, the results, as you know, have been changed or annulled. The results were annulled in ten constituencies, and the final returns changed in two ones. In all, the problems occurred in 12 districts. The Orders we adopted, the instructions we gave, the steps we took allowed us to ensure possibilities to disclose these violations. As a whole, the election campaign was successful. I believe that every candidate could freely let voters know his platform, his ideas.

The election results are a manifestation of the atmosphere prevailing in Azerbaijan. As for me, I did not doubt that only people feeling patriotic spirit, those who serve the Azerbaijan’s statehood, who love Azerbaijan, and who won respect by their knowledge, their activities would gain an advantage.

The Azerbaijani people is wise people. The Azerbaijani people ha made their choice. The today’s obvious unity and trust between the people and authority shows once again that Azerbaijan is moving forward along the right path. The parliamentary elections have confirmed that again. I am very glad that the elected members of parliament won the victory in open and fair competition; it of course madder a great contribution to legitimacy of the parliament.

As you know, the parliamentary elections in Azerbaijan aroused great international interest. Various foreign organizations sent a lot of observers here. Representatives of a number of countries were directly monitoring the elections. It is natural as Azerbaijan is rapidly integrating into the European, Euroatlantic structures. All criteria in Azerbaijan should meet high standards. Of course, fair and transparent conduct of the parliamentary elections was to meet both our own interests and those of the international organizations cooperating with us, our partners.

As you know, various international organizations and their observers were working here, and have made their conclusions. These conclusions are being studied, analyzed, and if there are fair criticisms, they are, naturally, accepted and taken into account. Where there are groundless criticisms, wrong opinions appeared on the base of misinformation, we of course cannot accept them. If there are biased criticisms, we wholly reject them, because we stand for justice. All necessary measures were taken to ensure fair and transparent elections. We frankly announced our intentions and completely proved our commitment to them.

Over the last years, Azerbaijan has been intensively developed. Azerbaijan is playing more and more important role both in the region and in the world. Our political weight is increased. Our economic potential is strengthened, and our geographic and geopolitical significance is increased.

The secular country with rich natural resources and extremely important situation, which chose the path of integration into the European and Euroatlantic structures, of course, provokes great interest, though sometimes, various political events are used by certain circles for other purposes. It is no secret that such facts did take place; we saw those expressed negative opinions on the elections did that for political reasons. That was a sign of a kind of political pressure. We all are aware of this, and we should be ready for that. We have this today, we will have this in the future. We must be prepared for that. I am prepared for that too.

I repeat, we stand for cooperation. We stand for relationship built on the mutual respect, on equality. We openly and clearly announced about our policy, including the foreign one. Two years ago, when being elected to the post of the President I described this policy, and today, it is continued. Naturally, such attractive country as Azerbaijan, keeping in mind all the abovementioned factors, can definitely become a place of clash of different interests. We must suppress that. I said it more than once. Azerbaijan should turn into a place of cooperation not competition and confrontation.

First of all, the national interests of Azerbaijan should be ensured. I am doing my best to ensure the national interests of Azerbaijan. We all including the deputy corps must serve this aim. The most important thing is the national interests of Azerbaijan, development of the people of Azerbaijan, strengthening of the Azerbaijan’s statehood. Today, no a single project be it political or economic one, no a single event in the region can take place without participation, consent and political will of Azerbaijan. Our weight, our importance will be gradually increased.

After the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil and Baku-Tbilisi-Erzurum gas pipelines are commissioned, after various energy and transport corridors passing through Azerbaijan start functioning, our significance will increase many times. Azerbaijan will overstep the regional bounds turning into a country playing an extremely important role on a global scale. This is what our main goal is. This is what all the measures and steps we are taking, the economic and political reforms, all-round development of Azerbaijan, and development of democracy are aimed at.

I am absolutely confident that if we want to create powerful economic and political potential in Azerbaijan, then both political and economic reforms in Azerbaijan should be implemented simultaneously. We know that there is an opinion in some countries that first economy should be strengthened, a strong economic basis should be formed, and then it is possible to give more powerful impetus to the processes of democratization, or to take bolder steps in this direction.

I do not share such an opinion. I think these two processes should run simultaneously. If democracy is not completely established in Azerbaijan and free society created, then our economic potential would appear to be useless. Without social control, without freedom and democracy in the country, no matter how impressive our successes, oil pipelines are, no matter how high our budget is, all this will be of no concern.

We have studied experience of some oil-producing countries and see where is the situation good and where is not. It needs to see, compare and go in this direction. This is my policy and the steps I have made hitherto follow this goal: to create strong economy, strengthen economic potential, carry out courageous economic reforms, simultaneously to accelerate democratic processes in Azerbaijan.

In this sense, parliamentary elections represent extremely great value. Certainly, also were taken other steps. The work done before parliamentary elections, the changes brought in the new Election Code, and other innovations have created already certain level. Henceforth, Azerbaijan will not be omitted any more below this level. Further, it will move ahead with wider steps, more organized elections will be carried out, and I am confident, that the infringements of the law caused our concern at present elections, will be eliminated.

People which have not executed the instructions of the President at present elections, have been punished, this process will proceed. All should know, that if I have declared, - I emphasized it many times and at all meetings during stay in regions, at the sessions carried out here, - means, nobody should interfere, local agencies should not interfere with election process. Elections should be transparent. Any candidate should not face problems. Everyone should possess the identical, equal right. Officials who did not listen to me, did not follow my instructions, I have punished. The some people are already arrested, others are dismissed from work, and this process will continue.

Media has paid to present elections great attention. Probably, it is also natural. In particular, foreign tele-channels and newspapers, other news agencies showed big interest in elections. You, probably, too, watched these materials, reports. Some months prior to elections, every possible assumptions of that were put forward, it is interesting, whether there will be in Azerbaijan the next revolution. Someone wrote, that will take place, someone considered, that it is impossible. I have expressed the opinion on it several months ago, in day of the beginning of election campaign. Today, the life confirms my correctness. In fact, revolution or coups are caused with the certain factors.

As a whole, to name the given event as revolution or coup, is, certainly, depends on the approach of each person or the organization. If it is perceived as the positive fact, it is called revolution, if it is not accepted – a coup. The estimation to the events which have occurred in other countries, in the post-Soviet states, probably, will be given with peoples of those countries. Therefore, I would not like to mention the given question. As to Azerbaijan, certainly, there were not present certain factors here for revolution.

First of all, in Azerbaijan, there should be an abyss between authority and people. We, on the contrary, have unity and trust with people. In our daily activity we strengthen them more. On the other hand, the strong opposition and the courageous oppositional leader are necessary for revolution. In Azerbaijan, there is neither that, nor another. Besides, for this purpose, the force of only one opposition is insufficient. There should be also a serious public opinion. The public or social order is necessary. In Azerbaijan, as a whole, it does not exist. The Azerbaijan public does not support it. It is confirmed once again by the parliamentary elections, their results and the events which have occurred after elections. On the contrary, in Azerbaijan there is a civil society. In Azerbaijan, there is true civil consent. I cannot tell that in Azerbaijan there is political consent. No. Unfortunately, we have not yet reached that level, the political culture should reach such level, that political party or the sides in political struggle conducted it in civilized way. And the civil consent is present in Azerbaijan. People approve and support the policy pursued by the Azerbaijan authorities. Therefore, in Azerbaijan, there is no factor able to provide revolution. But despite of it, as we know, representatives of press in some cases are in searches of sensation. I know, the numerous foreign journalists who have arrived here have been a little bit disappointed that they have not seen this event in Azerbaijan. I have suggested asking for them a pardon supposedly if they want to see such event let will go to look at it in their countries. If it is for someone, say, sensation or event, for us, it is our life, our destiny. Prevailing in Azerbaijan stability and the political order are reliably enough protected and maintained.

I know that there is big interest caused and carried out by opposition after elections of attempt of carrying out of meetings, and some journalists even have prepared headings next day to transfer in the newspapers or tele-channels of the message on coup. However, the people of Azerbaijan once again showed on whose side it is, and elections have once again confirmed it. Some people and organizations functioning on the various public funds, consider, that after current elections, the authority of Azerbaijan and the President will lose their positions, and in that case, in Azerbaijan, it will be possible to carry out any misdeed easily. The authority will weaken, ailing, and therefore, the certain interests here will be provided. But the life has shown that after present elections the authority of Azerbaijan has got stronger.

And you know, in the countries with 23 percent economic growth during ten months, usually, do not happen revolutions. The people welcome and support our successful socio-economic policy. In Azerbaijan, the level of poverty has sharply decreased. Last year it was 9 percent, approximately. According to preliminary data provided, it will go on and this year. You can see nowhere creation of over 300 thousand of working places, economic reforms, increase of industrious production by 30 percent. You can see in none of the countries increase of GDP by 23 percent in ten months. The wages go up, scholarship of the students raised, wages of numerous layers raise. The process goes ahead. Our budget has increased by 67 percent, and reached 4 billion dollars. Two years ago, it was some 1 billion dollars. The investment expenses raise, large-scale improvement works are underway. The districts are refurbished; new roads built in the remote villages, water and oil pipelines are constructed, power stations, schools and clinics are built. One cannot but see it. We see it and the people see that.

My goal is to make these remarkable macroeconomic indices a norm of daily life of the people. The simple citizen is not interested in GDP and its growth at all. He might not know what that means. He is interested in real life, his welfare. We should provide this. It is impossible to do it from the center. We adopt all decisions here. And strengthen finance rules. Raise the budget receipts. And adopt necessary decisions to carry out economic reforms in Azerbaijan. But, should the bribery officials not admit in places, then, none of our plan and programs could be realized. Therefore, last times I have released the heads of executive powers in some districts, and now overwhelming majority of them work successfully.

I again return on the item of development of democratic process and public control in the parliament. The public control should be available, including by the parliament where the budget expenses are spent. 4 billion dollars is not the limit. We know that in the coming years it will reach 5 billion dollars, and then much more. By increase of expenses, the control should be strengthened. It should certainly take place. Every citizen should feel this in his everyday life. I have no doubt that the mentioned tasks will successfully be implemented. Experience of the latest two years gives reason to that. What we have told we have implemented. We did not tell what we cannot. We shall say it afterwards. When there will appear ground for that. We have never made populist promises. Unlike some opposition leaders, we have not said we shall give 200 dollars to every citizen. It is because we respect the people, our citizens.

We know that the people of Azerbaijan have huge mental potential. The Azerbaijani people perfectly know about processes occurring in the world. If they promise, that each citizen will receive 200 dollars, the people perceive it as the insult, and think on which opinions are they on Azerbaijani people. How they will concern for the Azerbaijani people if will come to power? In the beginning of 1990s, we already saw it. The people of Azerbaijan, too, saw and well remember these forces which have resulted Azerbaijan in a pitiable condition, have plundered this country, have begun civil war in Azerbaijan, pulled Azerbaijan in a precipice, never there will be place for them in the Azerbaijan policy. The Azerbaijani people never will allow it.

I want to tell some words about foreign policy. One of the functions of parliament consists in strengthening of inter-parliamentary links. We already carry out fruitful cooperation with the various international organizations. I think that the parliament should pay to the given question great attention. I and you, probably, in the foreign visits see and are convinced of insufficiency of the information on Azerbaijan. The world community insufficiently knows about the Azerbaijan realities. Therefore, visit of each delegation should pursue and this purpose. Not casually, for last two years in a number of foreign countries, the embassies of Azerbaijan have opened. Just for this purpose. That is, on the one hand, that our diplomacy became more active, flexible, and on another, - that the Azerbaijan realities were led up to world community. Therefore, also it is necessary for parliament to undertake serious steps in this direction. As a whole, activity of parliament in this area deserves approval, it is necessary to be more active.

The foreign policy of Azerbaijan remains constant. We build our policy, first of all, according to interests of Azerbaijani people, this policy will continue and henceforth. We wish kind relations with all our friends, partners. It is very glad, that the relations with our neighbors are at high enough level and every day develop. It is extremely important, and in fact, we live here, in this region. We live among our neighbors. Certainly, the establishment of kind relations with neighbors strengthens bases of stability, cooperation in the country and region. On the other hand, Azerbaijan very actively participates in regional plane, and it is possible to tell without exaggeration that has already turned to the leading state in region and has strengthened its positions.

Our cooperation with the Euro-Atlantic structures are fruitfully enough and positive. We pay enough big attention to this direction, and in forthcoming years it is necessary to achieve further development in the given direction. At high level are the connections with the European Union. It has been for five years Azerbaijan is a member of the Council of Europe and very fruitfully cooperates with it. I would to tell also that the newly elected deputies knew about it. The Council of Europe consists not only of the rapporteurs on Azerbaijan. You should know about it.

The Council of Europe is the organization that has adopted a resolution on the Armenia-Azerbaijan, Nagorno Karabakh conflict. And in that resolution, Armenia was exposed as an aggressor state. And for the first time - Armenia! There was not written some Armenian forces or the Armenians. There was written that a Council of Europe member state has attacked on another Council of Europe member-state. As a result of this aggression, 20 percent of lands were occupied and over 1 million of people have become refugees-IDPs. Therefore, it is necessary for us to move further in this direction and to achieve further strengthening of cooperation with the Council of Europe.

We carry out enough fruitful cooperation with the Organization of Islamic Conference. The Organization of Islamic Conference is the organization which repeatedly declared the decisions on the Armenia-Azerbaijan, Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. As a whole, it is necessary to achieve further activation of our relations with the Islamic world. It is necessary to apply principles of the Islamic solidarity more widely. Our cooperation with this organization, undoubtedly, has priority character.

Azerbaijan carries out activity within the framework of the CIS and will continue it. I take part in summits of the CIS. These meetings allow carrying out in a bilateral format of discussion with the heads of the states of the CIS countries. Azerbaijan plays active role in the organization GUAM authority of which grows. We well know that a leading role in creation of GUAM has played Azerbaijan and its leader Heydar Aliyev. Today, this organization reached, as they say, a new plane. New prospects of the organization and, certainly, participation of Azerbaijan in the said organization serves its further strengthening.

Certainly, the most painful and heaviest problem for us is settlement of the Armenia-Azerbaijan, Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. The negotiations, as you know, continue. The Presidents and Ministers of Foreign Affairs meet. The positive fact is carrying out of negotiations within the framework of the Prague process. And the Prague process, as we know, means the stage-by-stage decision. It always coincided with our position. We always spoke, that the Nagorno-Karabakh problem can find its solution only on the basis of stage-by-stage settlement. Today, certain works in this direction is being conducted. Various variants are discussed.

I can tell that recently activity of the Minsk Group became more appreciable. This fact deserves approval. Activity of the Minsk Group testifies that now the Minsk Group and its co-chairmen are interested in solution of the given question. But I want to state once again now, here, and my position. I spoke about it and to the Minsk Group, and both to the leadership of Armenia, and all other sides engaged in this question, I say it and today. The Armenia-Azerbaijan, Nagorno-Karabakh conflict can find its solution extremely within the framework of territorial integrity of Azerbaijan. Any other variant is not discussed and not considered. It is our position of principle.

I consider it as very positive fact that this thesis

This is our position of principle. This is the bound we can exceed in no circumstances, and no more compromises. Sometimes, they say there is a need for mutual compromises. My question is what do we have to cede to Armenians? Our lands are under occupation, our compatriots are living as refugees and internally displaced. What do we have that belongs to Armenians to give them back? That is why, when we talk of the mutual compromises, we should know what we mean. Today, when Azerbaijan is getting stronger, when our military budget has reached $600 million – this is not the limit – when Azerbaijan is a regional leader, the fact itself that we have negotiated over ten years is a big compromise. Everybody should know this.

Our patience is not boundless. We declared our peaceful policy. The fact that we continue negotiations also shows that we want the problem to be solved in peaceful way. Today I have to say once again, the potential of the peace process has not yet been exhausted. We should use this. But how much longer? We have been living in cease-fire regime for ten years. The negotiations have been held for over ten years but there is no result. There is no point in talking on diplomatic achievements, even though the United Nations is now seriously engaged in the problem. Upon our request, the OSCE’s fact-finding mission sent its representatives to the region, occupied territories. The mission determined the illegal settling of Armenians. The Council of Europe adopted a quite positive resolution. All this is our diplomatic success. Bit if solution to the problem is not found, all this does not matter. We will try to use all the possibilities to find peaceful solution to the problem. At the same time, we have to be strong. A strong state is able to do much. We have to strengthen our economic potential, increase budget, win higher political prestige; Azerbaijan will be able to solve any problem easily if it becomes a powerful state.

Dear friends!

Dear deputies!

I don’t want to take your time. True, I missed a bit this hall. It is two years since I left it. But you know that eight years of my life as a deputy passed in this hall. Milli Majlis is very dear place to me, my home. I worked and work now with many of those present here. Although I hold other office, we keep in touch. We serve the same purpose. We have common idea, common objective – strengthening of our country, improvement of welfare of the Azerbaijani people, creation of strong and rich state.

Standing on this rostrum today, I of course recall those years, my activities. I can repeat that to be a deputy of independent Republic of Azerbaijan, the Milli Majlis is a very honorable and important mission.

I wish you success in implementing your honorable mission, fruitful work and making contributions to prosperity of our motherland.

Thank you and best wishes.