Dear diplomats, collaborators of the Foreign Ministry,

Today I have come to the Foreign Ministry to meet you. You know that the national leader of Azerbaijan Heydar Aliyev proposed to arrange such a meeting, but as the Minister noted his disease impeded it.

Azerbaijan successfully pursues its foreign policy. Of course, today the diplomacy of Azerbaijan is on a new phase. Certain changes and alterations have taken place in the Foreign Ministry, a new minister has been appointed. I think the Foreign Ministry and the embassies will further activate their work to meet requirements of the present time, to support national interests of Azerbaijan on the international arena.

After regaining its state independence, Azerbaijan acted in very difficult situation. The internal process, inability and incompetence of the country’s leaders led the Republic to difficult situation. The Country experienced crisis, the economy was on the verge of destruction at all. Azerbaijan was on the eve of dismembering.

As you know, on demand of the people in 1993, the nationwide leader of Azerbaijan Heydar Aliyev has returned to power after which the situation in the Country changed. It began to develop and as you know, in the passed ten years Azerbaijan has reached many accomplishments in all fields.

But in the first years of independence, the Country encountered great difficulties in the foreign policy. The Republic was almost isolated from the world. The Armenian propaganda against Azerbaijan was not followed adequately. Azerbaijan pursued poor policy against this campaign. In general, number of the people engaged in foreign policy in the Republic was very little and people with poor experience were given the responsible posts in this sphere.

Of course, it was not casual that just in those years Azerbaijan could not back its position, and numerous countries managed to adopt unfair decisions in regard with Azerbaijan Republic. You all know it very well. Thus, the Country had a negative image abroad, on the international arena. The situation began to change in 1993. Heydar Aliyev’s diplomacy, his policy saved the Country from international isolation. Azerbaijan began to strengthen its position on the international arena. Our country pursued successful policy in both bilateral and multilateral formats. As a result of this policy, today Azerbaijan has become a valuable member of the international community.

I do not see nay problems in the bilateral relations. Our relations with the neighboring countries are developing. These relations have been established on a firm ground, on the ground of mutual respect. You know that after the presidential elections I have made officials visits to a number of countries. These visits once again demonstrate that the international community, international organizations positively regard Azerbaijan. They respect Azerbaijan and count with it. Azerbaijan is becoming a leading country in the regional affairs. We have successful bilateral relations both with the neighboring and other countries and it corresponds Azerbaijan’s national interests. Of course, we shall try to strengthen our bilateral relations with all countries.

You know that we have adopted decision to open several new embassies. This will let to bring our policy to the notice of larger world community. As you know, Azerbaijan successfully works in the international organizations. The United Nations has adopted four Resolutions related to the Armenia-Azerbaijan, Nagorny Karabakh conflict. Azerbaijan closely cooperates with the Council of Europe. Recently, the European Union has included Azerbaijan to the New Program of Neighboring Policy and this cooperation is carried out in all fields – in political and energy spheres. My recent visit to the European Union once again shows that we have nice relations with EU.

The Council of Europe’s links with Azerbaijan strengthens. This Organization attaches great attention to Azerbaijan. And Azerbaijan is the member of this Organization for over three years and an active member. The documents, adopted in the Council of Europe related the Armenia-Azerbaijan, Nagorny Karabakh conflict, reflect the reality. These documents have been adopted on the international legal principles and meet national interests of Azerbaijan.

Recently, I visited the Council of Europe either and it was a success. The Council of Europe positively regards Azerbaijan and of course, should it not be so, President of Azerbaijan would not be highly awarded at the CE. I hope that as a result of activity of the Azerbaijan delegation, the expected report on the Armenia-Azerbaijan, Nagorny Karabakh will be a just report, be based on the international legal norms and thus, the truth on the conflict would reach larger world community. I hope that the Council of Europe will make appropriate decision on this question.

President of Azerbaijan further said: “Our relations with the international organizations are also developing. Azerbaijan successfully cooperates with the NATO and we have already passed from the PfP Program to military cooperation. My recent visit to NATO showed that we have very close links.

Azerbaijan successfully works in the CIS frame. Our positions strengthen in the Organization of Islamic Conference, GUUAM and other international organizations. We see our future policy in integration to the international structures. The national leader of Azerbaijan Heydar Aliyev has founded this policy. It was established in 1993 and it brings success up to date.

Today the world is enough aware on Azerbaijan. And we all must try the ambassadors and their staff members representing Azerbaijan abroad to bring the realities on Azerbaijan to their notice. In a word, Azerbaijan’s foreign policy in both bilateral and multilateral direction is successful. We shall continue this policy in the years coming. I am confident that Azerbaijan will further reinforce its positions in the international arena. Already all know that without participation of Azerbaijan neither political nor economic cooperation is possible. Azerbaijan has become an important country of the region.

Here, our geographic-political position and energy resources play a certain role. Of course, these factors are significant. Bur the greater factors are that Azerbaijan’s policy, its integration to international community, its becoming an important country for the international community, the on-going internal processes, socio-political stability, stable development and other factors have notable influence.

We must try to make aware the world countries on the truth on Azerbaijan, at the same time, strengthen our positions and achieve recognition of our national interests. Of course, the ambassadors and embassies have important role in this. In particular, the diplomats working in settlement of the Armenia-Azerbaijan, Nagorny Karabakh conflict must be more active.

You know that Azerbaijan adheres the peace way settlement of this question. We want to solve the conflict by negotiations. I hope the way of talks will bring success. At the same time, I have stated many times that Azerbaijan will never agree with the loss of its lands. Should the negotiations fail, Azerbaijan will release, in any way, including military, its lands.

International law is on our side. Our lands have been occupied. Justice is on our side. Economic potential and other factors are also favoring us. I have no doubt that this issue will find its fair solution. There sometimes sound suggestions on compromise. I have several times stated that there is no compromise in the issues of territorial integrity. It may happen when a side compromises to other side. Azerbaijan has nothing to compromise. Azerbaijan’s lands are under occupation. One million of people suffer from this aggression. Our position in this question is unchanged and straight, the President said.

And your task is to bring the realities to the notice of the official circles and community of the countries you work. Unfortunately, some international organizations have no clear imagination on the matter. It has certain reasons. Here, of course, the Armenian propaganda plays a great role. But let us admit that we also do not act in a due level. The personnel of embassies must be more active. They must keep the issue in focus.

This question should always be in focus of the Foreign Ministry’s personnel. I hope that President Administration and the Foreign Ministry should prepare a certain plan of activities in this direction, the head of state emphasized.

“We must prefer information attack. Sometimes we are told that we are aggressive. May be, but our aggressiveness is only in the information field. We have no other way. Of course, Armenia is curious not to mention this question. I, therefore, remember, when the question was raised at the Council of Europe, the Armenian side protested it. Why? It is because in the discussions all will see who is aggressor and who is victim. Therefore, in all arrangements, in all fields, the essence of the question should be disclosed and in the information field we must be strong. We must take all opportunities to expose the aggressor and the aggression against Azerbaijan”.

Head of Azerbaijan state called the foreign ministry staff to increase their effort to give detailed information on the living conditions of Azerbaijan refugees and IDPs. “The international community and relevant world organizations should receive information on this from the first hand”.

In this question, Azerbaijanis living abroad can render assistance to the embassies of Azerbaijan, the President said. “Azerbaijani Diaspora is strengthening day by day and they play certain role in the socio-political life of the country they live. We appreciate and support it. They must represent at numerous levels of their residence country. In this way, they can serve their historical Motherland”. President Ilham Aliyev gave certain instructions and recommendations to the State Committee on Work with Azerbaijanis abroad to work more effective in this sphere.

The world media gives one-sided information on realities of Azerbaijan, the President said. “Azerbaijan is presented only as the oil country or in regard with the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict. Azerbaijan has rich history, culture, and cultural heritage. The existent information in this field is in low level. We have to do a lot in this direction. Through numerous socio-political arrangements we must give more information. Men of culture must visit foreign countries, and art exhibitions be displayed. These events should be covered in many countries. “In particular, the links with the foreign media should be at highest level. Any information on Azerbaijan should immediately receive adequate reaction”, President Ilham Aliyev stressed.

Speaking of the accomplishments on the Country and their propaganda, head of state said: “As you know, Azerbaijan develops dynamically. Our economic indices are high level. The policy of economic reforms gave nice results. During the last seven years, the GDP has raised by 90 percents. The foreign investment flow increases. We have a good investment environment to attract foreign investors. The Country’s economy is in progress. “I have no doubt that Azerbaijan will become stronger and more powerful state in five years. Successful realization of Heydar Aliyev’s oil strategy cerates more opportunities for development of the non-oil sector, too. Development in the non-oil sector must be priority for the Azerbaijan government. This, in turn will promote development of the regions, which correspond our plans. Meanwhile, Azerbaijan’s economic interests should be protected every foreign country and our foreign representations should also act in this direction. In that case Azerbaijan will have reliable partners abroad, too”.

Concluding his speech President Ilham Aliyev once again stressed: “I hope, we shall reach all goals. Foreign policy of Azerbaijan state will serve national interests of our country. You represent Azerbaijan abroad and the world’s opinion on the Republic of Azerbaijan mostly depends on your activity. It is great honor. At the same time, it is responsibility. I wish success each of you in this cause. Thank you”.

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Head of the President Administration Ramiz Mehdiyev, head of the foreign relations department of President Administration Novruz Mammadov took part at the meeting.