Speech by Ilham Aliyev at the metting with public representatives of Fizuli region

Dear friends,

Dear Fizuli residents,

Dear sisters and brothers,

I greet you all wholeheartedly. Today is a very remarkable and excellent day. A magnificent Olympic Sport Compound opens in the Fizuli region. I congratulate you all cordially on this occasion.

You know that a very big attention is paid to the development of sport in Azerbaijan. Sport is developed already very swiftly in Azerbaijan. Our sportsmen have flied high the tricolor flag of Azerbaijan at international arenas. Our sportsmen represent appropriately our Motherland in World and Olympic Championships. During recent years, the work carried out in the field of sport cause a big joy for us. International sport community assesses also our successes. Azerbaijan managed already to present itself as a sport country. Successful performances of our sportsmen and at the same time, formation of younger generation are taking place very swiftly in Azerbaijan.

It is not by accident that our youth and teenagers represent appropriately our country in the First Olympic Games among juniors held recently and could gain the 10th place at global scale. It shows that there is a consistency in our sport. A young generation is being formed. Of course, one need conditions to do sport. The construction of such excellent Olympic Compounds is going very extensively in Azerbaijan. I am very pleased that such a nice and magnificent Olympic Compound was constructed in Fizuli and meets all standards. There are all conditions to do sport here. I am confident that these opportunities will be used not only by sportsmen, but also by region residents. Each condition is created here. I am sure that Azerbaijan will play its role in the international Olympic movement in the field of sport in the future and our sportsmen will represent our country in appropriate manner.

Sport means health and healthy lifestyle. Victories gained in sport strengthen further patriotic feelings of people. We have to educate our youth in patriotic spirit. They have to work and labor for Motherland. They have to defend their Motherland. The current youth will play an active role in the development of Azerbaijan after several years. We should strive to ensure sustainable and long term development of our country and be always at high level in all further periods of time as an independent country.

Today, Azerbaijan develops in all directions. Fostering economic potential, resolution of social issues and successful implementation of infrastructure projects are already a reality in our country. We have succeeded to gain these achievements on our own internal resources. International prestige of Azerbaijan is increasing. Our role in the region is strengthening. Azerbaijan is the author of several important initiatives in this region, and our initiatives become a reality. It fosters further our country. Civil solidarity is fully established in Azerbaijan. There is a unity between the people and the authorities. These factors are the prerequisites for the development of any country. If we shall take into account that besides political stability the fastest economic development at global level is observed in Azerbaijan, then we can notice that the development of country is truly multifaceted one.

I am very pleased to see the work carried out in the regions. You know that a particular attention is paid to the development of regions. Azerbaijan will enrich itself by developing its regions. We should strive to create good conditions for normal living in all regions, settlements and villages, ensure the resolution of social issues and implementation of all infrastructure projects. The work carried out in the regions during recent years ensures the current realities. Our cities become more attractive, refurbished. Roads, power and gas lines are being constructed. All infrastructures are being renovated. These are the issues which require large funds. However, we do that and should do it to develop comprehensively.

In spite that the current year is not finished yet, we can talk already about its results. So, outcomes of this year demonstrate that the year of 2010 was very successful for Azerbaijan. All obligations standing in front of us were solved and we are very optimistic about the future. We dispose already strong industrial potential and large financial resources. Our economic development is ensured and the most important thing is that Azerbaijani people is owner of its destiny. We define, formulate and implement the policy by ourselves. Azerbaijan is one of countries that pursue an independent policy in the region. The main meaning of this policy is to ensure national interests of Azerbaijani people. We do that and will continue to do that.

I am very pleased that today, I take part in several excellent events in Fizuli region. Before arriving here, I have participated at the opening of a new and splendid Mugham Center – the Mugham House. It is a very magnificent and attractive Mugham Center. Classrooms, nice concert hall and outdoor concert hall are created there. I am very delighted that such magnificent and splendid Mugham House differing by its architectural style starts its activities indeed in Fizuli, the Karabakh soil.

At the same time, today we expect the opening of a Medical Center in Fizuli. This is also a very important facility. It was constructed and will be commissioned on my initiative. It means that there are all conditions to solve here medical issues at high level. Now, there is no need to go to other places to get a medical assistance. The most sophisticated equipment is already created here. I hope that doctors working at the medical center will extend good service to citizens.

This area is also a priority of us. It means that sport compounds, nice hospitals and diagnostics centers are being constructed in each region. This is necessary for normal living of people. Indeed, a country can developed in multifaceted manner in such a case. If only a capital or one city of the country develops and regions are lagging behind, then that country cannot have a great future.
Our policy means that first of all, regions should grow, be active and develop. In 2004, the adoption of State Program for the social and economic development of regions was aimed at that goal. We realized all tasks assigned – 900 thousand jobs were created in Azerbaijan. Thousands of new enterprises, plants, factories, social facilities, over two thousand schools, hundreds of hospitals are the work done by us.

Creation of such nice buildings and enterprises in regions which suffered from war has a special significance. As local residents living here, you know well that these lands were under Armenian occupation. We can say that almost all region of Fizuli fell under occupation. But, as a result of heroism of the Azerbaijani Army under the leadership of Heydar Aliyev, some part of Fizuli region was liberated from occupying forces. All buildings were destroyed and set alight here. These buildings were restored. Thousands of buildings, social infrastructure got restored. The settlement of Horadiz got the status of a city. Today, refurbishment work is underway. Nice enterprises and facilities are opening. Gas supplies have started here and I gave an instruction to speed up this process. The gas problem of Fizuli region should be solved to the maximum extent.

It shows that Azerbaijan disposes large capacities to solve any issue. Everything was destroyed at these places. Today, Horadiz becomes a beautiful city and undergoes refurbishment and modernization. If we shall compare with Armenian cities, there is tremendous difference. It demonstrates the force of Azerbaijani people. It shows that today we will create such good conditions also in those lands that will be liberated after occupation. Buildings and houses will be constructed also at those lands. Nice parks will be constructed there. That day will come and we will restore our territorial integrity!

During last years, Azerbaijan increased its force significantly. It is known both to enemy and international community. We do know also that in the years to come we will build even stronger state and mightier Azerbaijan! We have will, policy, capabilities and financial resources.

I would like to say once again that there is a civil solidarity in Azerbaijan. All of us should hit the same target and do so. There is no more important issue for us than the liberation of occupied lands. We can say that there is no such similar second issue among all other serious ones because we obtain everything in other fields. Lifestyle of people is bettering. Social protection becomes stronger. Economy is growing.

The resolution of Nagorno Karabakh issue is the first and most primordial task for us. We have mobilized all our forces to solve this issue by any means. Of course, it would be nice to solve it peacefully without staging a war. However, it is regretful that it is not possible because non constructive position of Armenia and policy of delaying artificially the talks serve to freeze the current situation. In spite of that, we will pay our efforts and strengthen our policy. In any case, today, we have isolated Armenia from all regional issues. This policy will be continued. Armenia will fall into a very difficult economic and social situation. I do not doubt it. If Armenia would not get a foreign financial assistance, the economic and social conditions in that country could become unbearable long time ago.

However, in spite of that, it is not possible to compare capabilities of Azerbaijan and Armenia. If during the war period and particularly, due to the foreign support extended to Armenia at that time, there was a balance of forces, now we have changed this balance in our favor since long time. Gradually, Azerbaijan becomes stronger from economic, political points of view and the army building process and we will obtain what we want. We will never reconcile with the current situation, restore our territorial integrity by any means, clean our cities of aggressors and create a new life there. That day will come and all of us – the entire Azerbaijani people, each citizen bring that day closer and should do so.

Dear Fizuli residents, I would like to congratulate you all once again on the occasion of this remarkable event. It is not for the first time that I visit Fizuli. Each time I come here I am very pleased to see innovations. I am confident that you share these views. I congratulate you once again, wish you good health and successes. Thank you.