A solemn ceremony to present a diploma of the Honorary Doctor of Tajik National University to President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has been held in Dushanbe.

Rector of the University Mahmadyusuf Imomov read out the Academic Council`s decision to give the Honorary Doctorate degree to the President of Azerbaijan and select him as the Honorary Member of the Council.

Then President Ilham Aliyev was presented with the diploma and mantle of the Honorary Doctor.

The head of state addressed professors, teachers and students of the university.

Speech by President Ilham Aliyev:

- Dear friends!

First of all, I would like to express my deep gratitude to the National University of Tajikistan for conferring a title of an honorary doctor upon me. This is a great honor for me and I consider this as the tribute of respect not only to me, but also to our country, Azerbaijan.

I am happy to be here again on the fraternal Tajik soil. This is my second official visit to your country. My friend and brother Emomali Sharipovich also paid two official visits to Azerbaijan. This is an indication of the level of relations between our countries.

Our countries share ancient history, our peoples have always been friends and supported each other. We are proud of our outstanding ancestors. We, in Azerbaijan, appreciate the fact that works of Nizami Ganjavi are loved and cherished in Tajikistan. The ancient books of our great ancestor were demonstrated to me today, and I took this opportunity. And I want to confirm now, want to invite the delegation of the National University of Tajikistan to visit Azerbaijan, the city of Ganja – homeland of the great Nizami and visit the places where he lived and created his immortal works. There are many such examples.

We are tied by the common culture, civilization and history. It is good that we did not only keep all these positive elements of our cooperation during the period of independence, but also increased the potential of cooperation. But today during the meetings and talks with the President both one-on-one and in the presence of delegations, we discussed a wide range of issues of mutual interest, which will define the future of our relations. We have the same view on the potential of our cooperation, and our countries must do everything to support each other even more, establish contacts at the level of business communities, get actively involved in projects, which can be implemented in our countries, in other words, to ensure full-fledged cooperation for the many years in the future. There is the foundation for that, which is the mutual sympathy of our peoples, our common history, historical past and the current desire to enhance cooperation and develop our countries.

Today during the conversation with the President of Tajikistan I congratulated him and in his person, all the people of Tajikistan on the successes your country has achieved during the years of independence, in particular, in recent times. I can personally confirm this because I was in Tajikistan seven years ago and today we can clearly see the changes, development. New buildings are being constructed, Dushanbe is becoming more beautiful, resorts and public places are being created.

You have a very good dynamics of economic development. It is based, of course, on the socio-political solidarity in the society, stability, which are hailed by our peoples both in Tajikistan and Azerbaijan. The first years of independence, unfortunately, were difficult in your country as well, and they entailed great losses. The civil war is the worst of all wars that can happen. Unfortunately, our peoples faced such a difficult phenomenon. This is why Tajikistan is successfully developing today, first of all, thanks to the socio-political stability and confidence that all you have set is being realized.

We can see the dynamics in it. Because the processes taking place in various regions of the globe are completely contrary. The economic and financial crisis is going on and many countries have not got out of it yet. Wars are going on around borders, new hotbeds of destabilization, terrorism and radicalism are emerging. Under these circumstances, the creation of favorable environment, good investment climate, successful resolution of social issues, of course, are praiseworthy.

I want to congratulate once again the fraternal people of Tajikistan on these successes. We in Azerbaijan are happy about that and are trying, as I said, to prepare new projects for cooperation.

We have a high level of cooperation in the political field. We also support each other in international organizations. We are members of many international regional organizations and support each other everywhere – in both the UN and the OSCE and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, and other organizations. We support each other, vote for each other`s initiatives. Thus, we cement our relations even more.

Tajikistan actively supported Azerbaijan when we proposed our candidacy for the non-permanent seat in the UN Security Council, and with the support of 155 countries took this reputable place. We are grateful to all the countries which backed us and stated that we would represent ourselves and all our friends. And we did it. For the past two years, Azerbaijan had been a member of the UN Security Council and headed this most important world body two times.

We actively work in other international organizations. At present, Azerbaijan is the chairman of the Council of Europe. It imposes great responsibility on us. We are one of a few countries who are members of the Organization of the Islamic Cooperation and also the Council of Europe. Thus, we actively participate and advocate our national interests in these two organizations, which affiliate over hundred countries. What makes us closer, I would say, is that we pursue our policy on the basis of our national interests. We build our independent states on the national cultural values of our peoples. This is the foundation for each country for the future too.

Of course, I am sure that young generation in Azerbaijan as much as in Tajikistan is brought up in the spirit of patriotism, love for their motherland and in national spirit. It is especially important now when some concerns exist on the processes related to globalization. The processes mainly deal with the young generation. That is why, our youth must be tied to their country, people, love their homeland and be brought up in the national spirit. Of course, we are open to the whole wide world; we cooperate with the whole world.

As the rector noted, Azerbaijan is doing much towards a dialogue of civilizations, intercultural dialogue. The Baku international humanitarian forum, which has been held for the past four years, mainly deals with the issues related to multiculturalism. That is why we have a good experience here. But the foundation of our state and earnest of our successes in the future – this is a reliance on traditional values of our people. We must preserve them, strengthen, and the new generation, young generation must be brought up in this spirit.

Speaking about the foreign policy of Azerbaijan, I would like to note that we pursue a very active foreign policy. We pursue an independent foreign policy on the basis of not only our national interests. We advocate our national interests in international organizations. We have sufficient possibilities for that and we also want international organizations not to lose their authority. It can happen anyway if the decisions these organizations make are not implemented. We faced this and can observe injustice towards us. We can see that in some cases, the decisions of the UN Security Council are implemented in a day while the decisions that are related to our main problem – resolution of the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict – have remained on paper over the 20 years. More than 20 years ago, the UN Security Council adopted four resolutions, which require immediate and unconditional withdrawal of the occupational forces from the territory of Azerbaijan. They are not implemented and there is not proper pressure to make the aggressive country honor these resolutions. It is unfair. It is a manifestation of double standards we encounter more frequently unfortunately. Sometimes, it seems as if double standards have become a norm in international relations. But it must not be like this because there are fundamental principles on which the modern world system, world order were built. It is respect for territorial integrity of countries, honoring of decisions of international organizations. If these decisions are not executed, it means authority of the organizations that fail to bring these decisions to fruition is undermined.

The Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh is a great threat to the region. Twenty percent of our territories, historical Azerbaijani land of Nagorno-Karabakh and other regions are occupied. It took place in the early 90s. We have over a million refugees as a result of the occupation. Ethnic cleansing was committed against us. The OSCE sent its delegations to the occupied lands two times for monitoring purposes and both reports recorded that everything was destroyed including all towns, villages, all our historical monuments, our museums were pillaged, our mosques were destroyed and defaced. This was done not by some strangers but by the people who live in the neighborhood, who lived on our soil, ate our bread and used the advantages of Azerbaijan. At some point, they shot us in the back, so to speak.
Resolution of the conflict is the main issue of not only our foreign policy, but also the policy at large. We are grateful to all the countries that see the settlement on the basis of international law, resolutions of the UN Security Council, and as it was reflected in the joint declaration we signed with the President of Tajikistan, this conflict must be solved within the framework of the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan. This is the stance. The position is fraternal and friendly. Simultaneously, the position is based on international law.

Notwithstanding grave consequences of the occupation, we gathered our strength to develop our country. Azerbaijan has been actively developing in recent years. In the economic field, effective reforms were implemented enabling us to attract foreign capital in the first stage, create a favorable investment climate and create a good business environment. The Tajikistan-Azerbaijan business forum held yesterday set concrete steps to increase the trade turnover and solve many economic issues. We, in Azerbaijan, actively worked and continue to work in main directions of economic development – reforms, improvement of business climate, improvement of the investment climate as well as tackling the issue of energy transport and food security. This are, we believe, major elements, which form, along with specifically issues of security of our borders, the national security of our countries.

We have completely solved the energy security issue, attracting foreign investments to development of oil and gas resources. Today, we have diversified totally our natural resources supplies through already existing and planned oil and gas pipelines. There are seven oil pipelines to transport Azerbaijani oil and gas in all directions. We have ensured diversification of our resource supplies. Simultaneously, we are working on increasing oil and gas production.

The project launched last month has already been labeled as the project of the 21st century. This is development of the Shahdeniz, the world`s biggest gas field, construction of the South gas corridor, which will bring Azerbaijani gas to many countries that do not have access to it.

Thus, the energy security of Azerbaijan has been ensured. We also ensure energy security of our neighbors. We believe that in this direction the countries having natural resources must help all the countries that do not have them and help with reduced prices, help when help is needed. This is because we do not live on an island, we have neighbors. That is why, it is needed to have good relations with neighbors. We are striving for this and help with everything we can. If we need help, we also expect it from neighbors and see the adequate attitude. Therefore, the energy security will be more important factor in the future for development of countries, economic development and will ensure political security.

We also actively solve the issues related to food security. Our aim is to ensure 100% supply of Azerbaijan, our population with main industrial goods because we cultivate virtually all crops although our territory is small. That is why increasing production and self-sufficiency is one of our main goals. We are close to this and have already become exporters of agricultural products, agricultural processing, construction material and other goods.

And transport security, undoubtedly, must be ensured at the high level. Our geographical location, I would say, is beneficial. Allah granted us a wonderful soil, good climate, picturesque nature and our location is also favorable as we are located right between Europe and Asia. The historical Silk Road ran through us and we are restoring this historic Silk Road with infrastructure. Today, we actively participate in the North-South project, which ensures our transport security, makes Azerbaijan a transit nation for our northern and southern neighbors, and actively invest into the East-West, Great Silk Road project.

Last month, we put into operation the first line of the biggest seaport in the Caspian Sea with the handling capacity of 25 million tons. The first line was put into operation, and the complex will be fully operational in two years. The construction of the railway linking Azerbaijan, Georgia and Turkey is to be completed next year. It will link Asia and Europe. And today we discussed with the President Tajikistan`s using this railway. This is going to be the shortest cut from Asia to Europe, from Europe to Asia. We actively invest in this infrastructure in order to ensure additional financial inflow from this transit. And, of course, significance of our country will increase after this railway becomes operational because huge cargo traffic will run through our territory.

That is, the new Silk Road is in fact being implemented and we invite all our close neighbors and distant neighbors, friends, and the Tajik side to actively participate in these projects. We also discussed restoration of the direct Dushanbe-Baku flight. It could have more effect in terms of ensuring closer relations between our countries. In addition, there might be connecting flights to Europe, and now to America where we have opened a direct flight from Azerbaijan. That is why, the energy, transport and food security are probably major areas of our activity.

Apart from this, we, of course, pay much attention to development of business, catalyze development of entrepreneurship with lax credits, subsidies and preferences for farmers, achieve production growth in the non-oil sector of our economy.

This was the main goal. In order to reduce dependency on oil and gas, we need to create new jobs. There is a good demographic situation in both Tajikistan and Azerbaijan, that is, population of our countries is growing. It makes us happy.

It strengthens the potential of our countries. But it sets new tasks for us simultaneously because we have to upgrade the level of economy to match the growth of population. And, of course, it dictates permanent work. We cannot stop on what we have achieved. We have to steadily invest, create new jobs, new productions, seek new markets for the export in order to ensure sustainable development.

We achieved it for now. According to the most reputable economic institute in the world – the Davos World Economic Forum, the economy of Azerbaijan is 38th in terms of competitiveness in the world. It means we entered not only the top 50 but also the top 40 most competitive economies. We reduced unemployment, poverty, solved social issues, but nevertheless, as I mentioned, we cannot stop on what we have achieved. We must work actively in order to strengthen our country and use positive demographic potential effectively.

We know that many countries experience problems related to depopulation. This is a natural process since birth rate is going down. Some countries, including those in our neighborhood, encounter migration problems. It means there is a constant outflow of people from the country and this, of course, causes and will cause problems. Our countries have positive dynamics in this respect, and it will strengthen our countries and create new opportunities for our people.

I can speak about Azerbaijan for long time because what we did in recent years cannot be included in one short lecture.

In conclusion, considering that I am at a higher educational institution, I would like to say that we also much work in the education sector. It is the basis of our future development.

I have repeatedly said in Azerbaijan, at official events and want to state now that it is the intellectual potential that ensures the success of a country rather than energy resources. Training of personnel, specialists, development of education, science is what leads a country to progress. It is enough to look at the countries, which are considered the developed ones. As a rule, there is no oil and gas, there is scientific potential. Investments in science produce greater effect than energy resources do because each scientific discovery is later applied in practice and industry, creates new jobs, new technologies, new goods with high earned value. This pushes humanity forward. We have to be among those countries.

Of course, it is difficult to expect, speaking realistically, that today Azerbaijan will determine development of the world science. But we must have such a qualified group of specialists that we could apply most advanced world technologies immediately. That is why, investments in this sphere, the sector of education and science are among priority areas for us.

We invested heavily in this sphere. For the past decade, about 3000 schools have been built and repaired in Azerbaijan.

In total, we have 4500 schools, that is, the greater part was built again. This process is going on. It is not only about construction but also about quality. Here, I think, we should establish contacts with our educational institutions ensure the constant exchange of knowledge and students. In general, we have to encourage communications between our youth, not to loose touch that we used to have and which we cherish because our generation – we were born and grew up when Tajiksitan and Azerbaijan were part of one country.

Your generation is a happy generation because you already, so to speak, opened your eyes and lived in the independent state. This is great happiness. Many, probably, even do not realize what great happiness it is. In order to realize it, they need to have our experience when we lived in the country without having statehood. We did not have a seat in international organizations. We did not have our flag at the UN. We thought why we do not have our own state. The supreme justice is that we have our states today. This is the great happiness for our youth and us as well.

Another point I would like to make is that young generation does so actively communicate with each other, I mean just as our generation did in our countries. That is why, our student organizations, universities and institutes should establish direct contacts – just visits, conversations, exchange of expertise, education in order to make our countries closer.

I arrived in you wonderful country with such intentions and we work with my colleague in this direction. I hope that our enthusiasm will also be given to youth, and you will also work with your Azerbaijani peers for strengthening our relations.

Thank you very much again for your high title. I wish peace and prosperity to the people of Tajikistan. Thank you.