Dear friends!

Today is very remarkable day in the history of Azerbaijan oil industry. At the initiative of the Baku Petroleum Refinery and the request of the Oil company, the plant has been named after Heydar Aliyev. Accept my cordial congratulations on this occasion.

Although the refinery began operating in 1950s, the reality is that the period of its development, advancement and flourishing dates back to 1970-180s. There are objective reasons for this. It was exactly the years when Azerbaijan was governing by such genial person as Heydar Aliyev, and revival, advancement and progress were observed in all spheres of life, in oil industry in particular.

It was mentioned here that exactly in those years very important equipment were put into operation: ELOU-AVT, catalytic reforming, catalytic cracking and coking units. It must be frankly admitted that if the units had not been put into operation, Azerbaijan economy would have hardly been developing today. Their successful functioning is very important factor of our country’s economy: by delivering oil products refined using these units, to the world markets, we have reinforced our potential. It is very gratifying that the plant today too meets all modern standards, the world standards.

Its second life began after Heydar Aliyev’s return power in 1993. The work done on improvement of conditions, as well as reconstruction and repair work has instilled new life into the units assembled in 1970-80s. They have been repaired and today meet the highest standards.

It is well known that the main indication of oil refining is its depth. It is very gratifying that since 2003 the showing has exceeded 60%. Today, the volume of motor spirit production is 700 thousand tons vs. 350 thousand tons in 1999. This demonstrates that the refinery is operating very effectively.

As was mentioned here before, social problems are also solved at the refinery - wages and salaries have increased. It pleases me very much as one of the priority directions of our policy is to achieve high level of concern about people, and solve their social problems. We have all possibilities - political will, favorable conditions, professional skills of our people, and above all, the policy of national leader of the Azerbaijani people Heydar Aliyev - to reach the goal. This policy is living today, it will be living tomorrow, and should be further pursued in the name of successful and comprehensive development of Azerbaijan.

Nationwide leader of the Azerbaijan people Heydar Aliyev always paid great attention to the oil industry. He visited this plant 20 times, every such a visit gave a new impetus to its development. It was not accidental that after return - at the people’s demand - to power in 1993, his initial initiatives were related exactly to the oil industry. With the signing the “Contract of the Century” in 1994, Azerbaijan entered a new era. 10 years have passed since then. Now we can say with confidence that if the “Contract of the Century” had not been signed in 1994 and huge foreign investments made, the economic and political situation of our country would have been rather difficult. This is what prescience and service to people really mean. Just imagine, if Heydar Aliyev were not initiated building of the Baku Deepwater Basis Plant, our platforms, drilling rigs would be assembled and repaired outside the republic. It was pointed out here that one of the units was to be assembled in Russia, but thanks exactly to Heydar Aliyev’s efforts, it was done at this plant. The Baku Deepwater Basis Plant as well as some of the enterprises constructed in Azerbaijan had been planned to be built in other places. However, the activities of our national leader allowed to create this infrastructure, to build enterprises and establish new branches of industry exactly in Azerbaijan.

As a logical result of the signing “Contract of the Century” in 1994, the oil industry of Azerbaijan has made considerable progress. The world’s largest energy project is now being implemented in the country: construction of the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline, Baku-Tbilisi-Erzurum gas pipeline, and development of the “Azeri-Chirag-Gunashli” and “Shahdeniz” fields.

The oil industry of Azerbaijan has employed tens of thousands people with wages and salaries increasing from year to year. Azerbaijan has turned into the state of not only regional but also global importance. This is the result of the oil strategy initiated in 1994 by Heydar Aliyev. This fact is recognized by the whole world.

This strategy has had a great impact on not only our country but also the whole region, the neighboring countries both from economic, regional cooperation and political standpoint. I think I would be mistaken saying these factors play extremely important part in the settlement of the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict. Recently, I have made sure of this once again.

Azerbaijan’s potential, its perspectives promise that our country will soon turn into a very strong state from both economic and political standpoints.

If no these steps were taken in 1994, billions of dollars invested, pipelines constructed and Oil Fund collected some 1 bln dollars founded, what kind of economic potential we would speak about now? Economically weak state always has a chance to face difficulties while defending its national interests.

A man remains in history due to his deeds. Heydar Aliyev is a major part of the history. All his deeds, initiatives pursued just one goal: to serve Azerbaijani people - to strengthen our state, our independence, and build democratic society in the country.

We all, the whole Azerbaijani people are devoted to this policy, and we will continue to follow this course.

Dear friends, as you know, the major part of my activity is linked to oil sector. For about 10 years I have worked at the oil company, implementing together with my co-workers, the Heydar Aliyev’s oil strategy. Those years were of great importance to my current activity, all my life. I take a pride in the fact that we were, I’d say, members of the same staff. Today, it turn out that your representative is a President of Azerbaijan Republic. It is very dear to me.

You should know that I will do show the same concern about the oil industry workers as President Heydar Aliyev used to do in the past. Those people who strengthen economic potential of Azerbaijan, create good economic basis for the country, are employed by the enterprises and companies operating under the Oil Company. I want you to know that I will always conduct this policy, keep all these questions under control and support you, just like it took place in the past.

It was mentioned here that President Heydar Aliyev signed in August 2003 the Decree on conferring orders and medals upon a group of workers of the refinery. Those awarded the “Taraggi” medals have already received them. Today, the “Glory” order will be given to winners. I am happy to have the honor to realize this mission. And I am about to do so with great pleasure.

Once again, I offer you all my congratulations on the occasion of this remarkable event, naming the refinery after Heydar Aliyev. I know this plant is worthy of bearing his name.

I wish you every success, good health and new achievements.

Thank you.

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Then, a ceremony of conferring orders on the occasion of 50th anniversary of the Baku Petroleum Refinery upon a group of workers was held.

In conclusion the Head of State Ilham Aliyev met with employees to talk and be curios about their problems.