Ladies and Gentlemen

Dear Friends, Dear Guests

It is very remarkable day in my life. I am confident that Michael Zukkov Foundation’s prize presented to me is the award for what has been done in Azerbaijan for recent years. This prize is very dear and valuable to me.

Zukkov Foundation is the world’s well-respected non-governmental organization. It does great work in a variety of countries, and this Foundation has great services in the environmental protection. In Azerbaijan, we assess Zukkov Foundation’s activity very highly. Therefore, it is honor to receive the prize from such a reputable international organization as the Zukkov Foundation. At the same time, you have heard it from Zukkov’s remarks; Michael Zukkov is a great friend of Azerbaijan, the person who loves Azerbaijan. It makes us glad know about the fact that he knows Azerbaijani society, lists the names of all national parks without looking at the paper, and, not only list them but also he is familiar with the current situation in the national parks. Only friend of nature, only friend of human, only merciful persons possess these high merits. Therefore, Foundation’s award is very dear and valuable to me. I want to assure you, I will do my best in my future activities to improve ecological situation in Azerbaijan, and protect environment.

Now Azerbaijan is in the period of development. Our economic development is speeding up. Great works are being done in all spheres in Azerbaijan. The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development’s report highlighted Azerbaijan as the world’s fastest growing economy. We are leaders in terms of GDP growth rates. Of course, we are telling about it with the sense of pride because it is a very big achievement to be the world’s first in any sphere, in particular, GDP growth as the main measure of the size of economy. It shows that the country’s economic situation is positive, at the same time, there are great prospects. Given we are going to keep economic development rates, of course, Azerbaijan will develop comprehensively within the next few years.

To my mind, Azerbaijan is the world’s leading nations in terms of industrial growth with the industrial output increased 40 percent since the beginning of the year. However, there are some concerns along positive points because the fast development, whether you like it or not, can have a negative impact on the environment. New enterprises start operating and new jobs are created in the wake of industrialization. They are very important issues for us. At the same time, we must do everything to minimize damages to our nature. That is why, we try to take our measures more comprehensively.

Azerbaijan has great needs. We take a variety of steps to improve people’s standard of living – implementation of economic reforms, infrastructure projects, creation of jobs and other issues. Along with this, ecological problems are in the focus of attention. Establishment of national parks, reserves pursue this goal. The very big and concrete ecological program has been recently adopted in Azerbaijan; I signed a special executive order. All the measures indicated in the program will help protect the environment in Azerbaijan.

I want to reiterate that this program is very concrete, accurate with financial sources determined as well. Funds will be allocated for these works from the Azerbaijan’s state budget, and ecological problems raising concerns have to be settled within short time.

Given Azerbaijan is known as the oil and gas producing country, Azerbaijan was the first country in the world to begin oil production using industrial methods, offshore wells were drilled in Azerbaijan, in the Caspian Sea for the first time in the world, it is easy to conclude that it had a negative impact on the ecological situation. During the Soviet era, there was no due attention paid to the ecological problems. That is why, we have great tasks to fulfill. First of all, we have to purify oil-polluted areas, in particular, old fields in the Absheron peninsular. We have to clear oil spills. We have to normalize ecological situation in the Caspian Sea. Of course, it depends not only on us because there are also five countries surrounding the Caspian Sea. However, if each country worthily fulfills its task, the ecological situation in the Caspian Sea will be notably improved.

We should purify the Baku Bay. That is, we have significant tasks to fulfill in coming years, and therefore, it needs huge finances. We surely allot this funds and I am convinced that the ecological problems the people of Azerbaijan, the country are concerned with, will be solved in short period, in the coming five years. This is a great program. And there are serious tasks. However, I have no doubt that we shall achieve this. We have all means to do this. First of all, there is political will, and this will reflects in the accepted decisions and programs. On the other hand, by rising of financial opportunities, perhaps, colossal means will be attracted to these affairs.

I have today met with the German delegation and had detailed exchange of views. I have noted that during long years we have carried out negotiations with the international financial organizations on allotting necessary funds for ecological questions. Sometimes, the talks lasted for long period. Especially, taking into account that for the oil-gas deals, Azerbaijan has received billion dollar credits, and there was no any problem in receiving them. But they treat very carefully the funds allotted for ecological questions. As the funds set aside to resolve environmental problems do not bring proceeds in short period. Therefore, we decided to resolve these questions with our own possibilities and the said program was adopted. And since it was adopted, immediately, the international financial organizations, the World Bank, other world financial structures, have arrived in Azerbaijan. On one hand, they have welcomed the adoption of such program, and on the other hand, they expressed wish to join this Program.

This is very significant for us. Today, I have noted this and in talks with our German friends. As now, we need modern expertise, the advanced experience of German, the world and European developed countries, their consultations. We have to efficiently use the allocated means, to expediently solve these questions. I am very pleased that there is certain support for our initiative. Arrival of such great delegation of Zukkov Foundation from Germany and presentation of this high award to the Azerbaijani President – all these are inter-connected.

I reiterate that the Zukkov Foundation is a world known organization with high prestige and its awards, on one hand, is the estimation of the done works, and on the other, are the advances for the future activity. Sure, by joint efforts, in the coming years we shall do a lot to protect environment in Azerbaijan.

Azerbaijan has immense natural resources and in account of these resources, their effective use, the country develops with unprecedented rates. But our resources are not only oil and gas. The nature, rivers, the Caspian, our mountains, the air is out natural resources. Ecology, health, social problems – all these are closely connected. Addressing these issues, we try to solve them in complex.

Azerbaijan has vast opportunities and they grow. The greatest resource is health of people, their normal lifestyle, and normal life conditions. To this end, now in numerous regions of Azerbaijan, 10 modern diagnostic and treatment centers are under construction, and they are provided with up-to-date equipment. In the latest three years, in Azerbaijan, over 700 schools have been built to normalize education of children from the first school years. On this purpose, a big water pipeline is being laid from the northern-western regions of country to Baku and its suburbs. This has symbolic meaning, too.

We have completed construction of the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan MEP on which we have worked for long years. This is a large project with economic, political and regional importance, and has no analogue in the world. We have to transfer the future profits received from functioning of this pipeline to human capital. What projects did we start first? Afterwards, the water pipeline to Baku, construction of hospitals, creation of modern infrastructure, solution of the problems of refugees and IDPs. Now, we do a lot for them and build new camps, settlements.

Today, we openly state our policy, and carry out it. There is no contradiction between our words and deed. Everything is for people, for the strengthening of country. Whatever we need we do and shall do.

In these affairs, perhaps, the ecological questions should be in foreground. Of curse, when the country has many social problems, economic difficulties, the ecological questions do not receive due attention. And where they receive this attention? In the developed countries. The differences also vary among the developed and less developed countries. This is also natural. But one deference is absolute. This is treatment towards ecological questions.

In the developed countries, they treat the ecological issues very attentively. This reflects the level of these countries, their policy, and culture. Azerbaijan pledged to become a developed country. We have all opportunities to do this and I do not want to speak about it much. We will do this.

Attention and treatment to the ecological questions, simultaneously, shows the level of general policy of the country. Finally, this is the most importunate field. Oil and gas are resources of the country. They have temporary importance. But, the nature, environment are the permanent values.

The nature, the world and globe have existed for centuries, for millenniums. And we have to protect them. For us, for the coming generations, for survival of the country. Therefore, we attach great importance to these questions. We try to be in one of the leading points in implementation of ecological programs.

Simultaneously, there are enough problems we are concerned. The major of them is that the lands of Azerbaijan are under occupation. 20 percent of the country’s territories are under occupation and the ecological situation is very pitiful. The forces that have occupied those areas have destroyed our historical, religious and cultural monuments, and causing huge damage to our nature. They cut the trees, commit arsons and we have enough proofs for that.

Few times ago, the OSCE fact-finding mission has arrived in Azerbaijan to conduct monitoring in the occupied territories. The report they prepared was awful. Everything was destroyed and obliterated. At the same time, the valuable trees were cut and built several furniture pants at the occupied territories. Those plants function in account of our nature, our woods. The profits received from them will not favor anybody. As this is gained in account of blood of our country and aggression against our nature. The aggressors have intruded to our nature. In the latest period, the arsons committed in the occupied areas, have once again disclosed the essence of Armenia. They know that sooner, or later they will leave those lands, they understand that the time is not beyond the horizons. They even burn our lands as though the destruction of houses was not enough. Now, tens of years will be needed to restore those lands. Therefore, Azerbaijan has brought up the questions before the international organizations. We raise this question at the United Nations and request all the world organizations, non-government organizations paid due attention to it. As this is an intolerable fact. This cannot be considered a deed of the people living in the 21st century!

Dear friends, I reiterate that today is a landmark day in my life. I highly estimate this awards. Sure, our cooperation with the Zukkov Foundation will go ahead. Our cooperation with the European countries in all fields, including in protection of ecology and environment will continue. We already since yesterday are neighbor to Europe. Yesterday, in Brussels, we have signed the plan of activities on policy of neighborhood between Azerbaijan and European Union. We are neighbors from political side and since next year after Bulgaria will become member of the European Union, we shall be and geographically, neighbors.

Last week, I had successful meetings in the European Union. This opens new opportunities and horizons for us. Cooperation between the European Union and Azerbaijan is diversified. I hope that ecological questions will make up a noteworthy part of this cooperation.

I once again express my gratitude to You for high estimation of my activity and wish success to all of you. Come often to Azerbaijan. You are friends to Azerbaijan and this friendship will continue and henceforth.

Mr. Zukkov, along with the awards, has also presented me a check of 15 thousand Euros. I give it for improvement of ecological situation in Azerbaijan. Thank you.