Ilham Aliyev reviewed the construction and reconstruction work carried out at the military camp of the Special State Protection Service and attended the opening of a sports center

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces Ilham Aliyev has reviewed the construction and reconstruction work carried out at the military camp of the Special State Protection Service and attended the opening of a sports center.

The Chief of the Special State Protection Service, Col-Gen Vagif Akhundov reported to President of the Republic of Azerbaijan and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces Ilham Aliyev.

The head of visited the statue of nationwide leader Heydar Aliyev and laid flowers at it.

Then President Ilham Aliyev was familiarized with the operation of the Situation Center of the Special State Protection Service.

The President was informed about the construction and reconstruction work carried out in the camp in recent years. It was noted that communication lines on the premises of the military camp had been reconstructed, old buildings knocked down and new ones built instead. Two new five-storey buildings have all the conditions for the activities of service personnel. In addition, the football pitch, all sports facilities, running tracks and the stands have been reconstructed.

Then President Ilham Aliyev cut the ribbon symbolizing the opening of the sports center of the Special State Protection Service.

At the entrance to the center there is a bas relief of great leader Heydar Aliyev, a photo corner describing the care and attention of nationwide leader and President Ilham Aliyev to the development of sports and the Olympic movement in the country.

The Chief of the Special State Protection Service, Vagif Akhundov, said that the center covers an area of 8,000 square meters and is well suited for all sports. It has a swimming pool meeting international standards. There are all the opportunities for training the service personnel here.

The President was also familiarized with the special outfit and accessories used by service employees. It was noted that this advanced equipment enables high-level organization of underwater security measures. Different types of diving suits, special underwater submachine guns, lanterns and computerized clocks, devices for regulating breathing, distance measurement, signal amplifiers, equipment for underwater video shooting, underwater mine detectors and other equipment enable employees of the service to fulfill their duty at the proper level.

It was also indicated that the center has a medical center fitted with modern equipment.

While visiting the hand-to-hand fighting hall, President Ilham Aliyev watched a demonstration performance by local personnel.

It was noted that the fitness area was fitted with the most sophisticated equipment. The center also has a 360-seat gym for conducting competitions in basketball, volleyball and other sports.

After reviewing the center, the President met with the staff of the Special State Protection Service.

Saluting the service personnel, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces Ilham Aliyev said:

- Good morning.

I have reviewed the reconstruction and construction work carried out in the military camp of the Special State Protection Service. The work is carried out at a very high level. Office buildings are built and renovated. A beautiful sports center has been built and it is possible to conduct any competitions here. Of course, there are all the opportunities for physical training of service personnel. Physical training, which is an essential part of the training of Special State Protection Service employees, must also be at a high level. Here you can practice all kinds of sports. I am sure that your personnel will effectively use these opportunities and this sports center, built with high quality and with good taste, will operate successfully for many years.

Of course, there are all the opportunities for specialized training of service personnel here. In previous years I attended the opening ceremonies of various service facilities associated with both specialized training and other facilities. So the material and technical infrastructure of the Special State Protection Service is strong enough today. Several years ago a hospital and a training base were opened here. There are favorable opportunities for specialized and physical training, and for security measures here.

The latest technologies are used today. Of course, we are using these technologies to strengthen the material and technical infrastructure of the service and expand surveillance capabilities. The availability of technical equipment facilitates your work. But at the same time, operational work is always of great importance. The operational side of your work is also at a high level. The service has broad functions. Issues related to the protection of state bodies and public facilities are of great importance. Today, the successful development of our independent state requires high-level implementation of security measures.

Public and political order is securely protected in Azerbaijan. There is stability and our people live in an atmosphere of security. Of course, to ensure a successful future development, security measures should always be in the spotlight. I appreciate the work of the Special State Protection Service in this area.

Security in Azerbaijan is provided at a high level. At the same time, your responsibilities also include the security of numerous high-ranking delegations visiting Azerbaijan. If we consider that Azerbaijan and Baku have become political and economic centers today, the number of activities carried out here is extremely high. The security of all representative events is addressed at a high level. You provide for the security of foreign heads of state and government arriving in Azerbaijan. Summits and other international forums are regularly held in Azerbaijan. Of course, the security of these activities is also your direct responsibility. We can say that representative events are held in Azerbaijan every month, perhaps even several times a month. Service employees own a special role in conducting these activities at a high level.

At the same time, you own special merits in the energy sector, which provides for the economic independence of our country. The protection of export pipelines has also been entrusted to you. For many years you have been dealing with the protection of the strategic energy infrastructure, and there have been no adverse events in this sphere over the years. The operation of the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan, Baku-Tbilisi-Erzurum and other pipelines is provided on the territory of Azerbaijan at the highest level. There has not been a single unlawful interference. Other countries have seen numerous cases of intervention, illegal acts and theft of oil from these pipelines. This, above all, shows that the population of Azerbaijan treats this issue properly. At the same time, the security system is organized at the proper level. Surveillance by electronic means, as well as visual observation, is provided at a high level. Thus, our main export pipelines, which represent strategic importance for the country's economy, are protected by the service at a high level.

Of course, as President I have always given my support for the successful activities of the service. I have accepted practically all the proposals from the service management. I have issued all the necessary instructions to improve the material and technical infrastructure and address housing problems of service employees. The opening of this sports center today completes all the work planned in this area: a hospital, a training center, a sports center, a situation center and provision of modern equipment – the entire work is done at a high level.

In recent years we have met several times at various events. I want to say again that I think quite highly of the work of the service. The Special State Protection Service plays an important part in the successful development of our country. All measures relating to security are provided at a high level in Azerbaijan. I am sure that this will be continued because the region in which we live requires special attention from all of us, of course. The negative processes taking place around Azerbaijan should certainly further mobilize us and encourage us to be more vigilant. We are ready for that. The successful development of Azerbaijan today is provided in part due to internal stability and security.

I wish you continued success in the new year. I want to note again that this center and the work carried out here in general are at a high level. And I congratulate you on this occasion.

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The Chief of the Special State Protection Service, Col-Gen Vagif Akhundov, said:

- Dear Mr. President, Mr. Commander-in-Chief!

On behalf of the personnel I would like to welcome you to our military camp again and say to you: You are welcome! This is your seventh visit to the Special State Protection Service. Also I want to express my deep gratitude to you for the valuable thoughts you have expressed about the activities of our service.

As you know, the Special State Protection Service was set up on the initiative and under the leadership of the great leader in August 1993, a period when civil war was ongoing in Azerbaijan and the Armenian-Azerbaijani war was under way. The foundation of our service was laid at that time. Our service, which has been in operation for over 20 years, is relatively young compared to other intelligence agencies. But despite its young age, it has a very high combat capability and a strong logistical base.

Naturally, the military camp of the Special State Protection Service the opening of which after reconstruction you are attending today and this up-to-date sports center have been built at a level corresponding to Azerbaijani standards. The stadium and office buildings – all this is a clear indication of your attention and care about our service.

We would like to thank you for the attention and care about our activities, for the strengthening of our material and technical infrastructure, for addressing the social and housing problems of our personnel, and for opening the hospital and the "Nabran" recreation center where our personnel have rest. In 2003-2013 alone a total of about 800 apartments were built and put into operation. This is a manifestation of your attention and care, as well as high confidence in our service activities.

Mr. President, on behalf of the personnel I would like to thank you for this confidence once again. Let me assure you that we will continue to keep up with your tense schedule and justify your confidence through our service and hard work.

Thank you.

President Ilham Aliyev: Thank you.

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Then a picture was taken as a souvenir.

We recall that from the day of its establishment, this organization, which was set up on the basis of a decree on the organization of the general directorate on the protection of the highest bodies of state authority and administration of the Republic of Azerbaijan signed by nationwide leader Heydar Aliyev, has, alongside other law enforcement agencies, done significant work to ensure stability and peace in our country and to protect national security. The rapid economic development of Azerbaijan, the progress made in the energy sector, the gradual growth of our country's role in European energy security and issues pertaining to the security of diversified energy routes set new challenges for the Special State Protection Service. The establishment, in accordance with a decree of the President of Azerbaijan Republic, of a department for the security of export oil and gas pipelines under the Special State Protection Service further expanded the scope of this institution. Thanks to the attention and care of President Ilham Aliyev, consistent measures were initiated in an effort to strengthen the material and technical infrastructure of the Special State Protection Service, improve the professionalism of its personnel and provide the organization with the most modern technical equipment.

In accordance with a presidential decree, a modern Centre for Special Communications and Information Security was set up within the Special State Protection Service. The center uses the radio system TETRA, which is currently in use in most European countries and meets the requirements relating to the Internet resources of governmental bodies, their efficiency and security. In April 2013, by decree of President Ilham Aliyev, a department for the protection of diplomatic missions was established within the Special State Protection Service. This too put forward new challenges for the organization.

The Special State Protection Service professionally performs its tasks associated with the process of rapid development under way in Azerbaijan in recent years, the implementation of the country's ambitious infrastructure projects and various international events. Consistent measures are taken to improve the social conditions of personnel and further enhance the level of the service. Clear evidence of this has been the construction of the sports center of the Special State Protection Service and the implementation of many other measures within this framework.