TO 20TH CONGRESS OF AZERBAIJAN CENTRAL CO-OPERATIVE UNION
I sincerely congratulate you on the commencement of the work of the 20th Congress of Azerbaijan Central Co-operatives Union.
The co-operative movement originated and further developed in the form of separate small co-operatives as early as late 19th century, transformed in the second decade of the last century into a vast structure covering the whole country.
Co-operators have played a great role in the development of the national economy for the past period, the one without which it would have been impossible even to imagine the development of social and economic development of the country.
In particular, the co-operative system, which in 70-80s of the last century reached its highest level of development, rendered trade and public catering services to over half of the county’s population, and allowed to stock up 100 thousands tons of agricultural products.
The co-operatives have played their role also after Azerbaijan gained its independence: under the newly created conditions based on the principles of market economy, the co-operators began to do their business the new way.
Today, the co-operators promote creation and all-round development of farms and private enterprise in different regions of the country, as well as help the farmers bring their products to the market.
Azerbaijan Republic’s integration into the international community has opened wide perspectives for the co-operators as well. The Azerbaijan Central Co-operative Union has now all opportunities to establish all-sided links with appropriate structures of various countries and international organizations.
Dear Congress participants!
I hope the Azerbaijani co-operative system will revise its activity according to the modern requirements, make heavy contribution to the protection of shareholders’ interests, satisfying the people’s need for goods, employment and services, promotion to the development of entrepreneurship.
I believe the resolutions to be adopted during the 20th Congress of the Azerbaijan Central Co-operative Union will inspirit all the co-operators to solve these tasks.
I wish the Congress’ work every success, and the co-operators - great results while implementing the resolutions you are to adopt.
Heydar Aliyev,
President of the Republic of Azerbaijan
August 23, 2003
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