Speech by Ilham Aliyev at the opening of a new settlement for IDPs in Goranboy

Dear friends, dear brothers and sisters. Let me salute all of you from the bottom of my heart and congratulate you on the commissioning of these homes. There are excellent conditions here. Three five-storey buildings have been constructed and another nine will be built. There will be a large settlement here so that our fellow citizens, affected by the occupation and having to live in uninhabitable buildings for many years, could live in good conditions. You know that this is our policy which we have been pursuing for many years. As you know, the first funds from the State Oil Fund were channeled into the improvement of living conditions for the displaced persons on the instruction of national leader Heydar Aliyev. Since then, tens of thousands of our compatriots have moved to new apartments and houses. Over the past seven years, we have spent 1.8 billion manats on addressing the social problems of refugees and the internally displaced persons. 90,000 people have moved to new homes. All tent-camps have been eliminated, while the new conditions are at this level. You deserve that and the Azerbaijani state will continue to do everything possible to create good conditions for those affected by the Armenian occupation. But I have always said that this is a place of temporary residence. After our lands are liberated, we will build even more beautiful facilities there. We will restore all our cities and our citizens will return to their native lands. This day will come, I believe in that and have no doubts whatsoever. I am sure that Azerbaijan will restore its territorial integrity.

We have been suffering from occupation for many years. Armenian occupying forces have seized our lands and do not want to end the occupation. Although talks are ongoing, so far they are fruitless. For our part, we are trying to resolve the issue peacefully. But at the same time, we are not ruling out any other options. Azerbaijan has become stronger in recent years, it has covered a long and glorious path in terms of economic development and strengthening of its military capacity. Today we have a strong army capable of liberating our lands from invaders at any time. This factor is playing a positive role in the negotiations. However, the non-constructive policies of Armenia, its non-constructive stance and the tactics of delaying negotiations through various ways are preventing a lasting solution. However, Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity will be restored, our position is supported by all international organizations, international law is on our side. Using all these possibilities, we will continue to make every effort towards restoration of our territorial integrity.

The Khojali genocide is one of the most horrific and heinous crimes of the 20th century. It has exposed the monstrous and ugly face of Armenian fascism. Unfortunately, Armenians of the world, their foreign benefactors and the Armenian lobby had been hushing up the truth about Khojali for many years.

The world community was receiving insufficient information on this issue. Our capabilities in informing the world of these realities were limited, especially in the early years of independence. Now the situation is completely different. Azerbaijan has extensive opportunities and a broad Diaspora. Public organizations, state bodies of Azerbaijan are releasing a number of publications about the Khojali genocide, publishing books, conducting conferences and other activities worldwide. In other words, the international community is fully aware of the Khojali genocide now. But it is also true that the existence of double standards complicates our work. Double standards manifest themselves in practically every sphere. In some cases we can see unfair attitudes towards Azerbaijan, while some international organizations do not attach any importance to what is happening in Armenia. At the same time, even minor events in Azerbaijan are blown out of proportion and brought to the attention of the world. This is where double standards are. We know that the international military tribunals are currently trying the leaders of other countries for their crimes. But why isn’t there an international tribunal on the crimes committed by the current leaders of Armenia who have personally participated in the Khojali genocide and whose hands are stained with the blood of the Azerbaijani people? Why aren’t they publicly condemned? The basis of all this is double standards, the activities of world Armenians and the unfair position of their patrons and foreign circles. But justice is on our side. Armenians have killed over 600 civilians, more than 100 of them were children. I want to say again that this was one of the most brutal crimes of the 20th century. The Khojali genocide, this is what it is called. Azerbaijan’s enhancing opportunities are enabling us to inform the world community. We must and we will do that. Although this issue is already being discussed in international organizations, legislatures and governments of some countries, although the Khojali genocide is already recognized by the international community, we will continue our efforts in this direction.

As for the solution of problems of refugees and displaced persons, the Azerbaijani state will continue its efforts in this direction. This year we will do even more as part of the investment program and the program of the State Oil Fund. Some funds are also allocated from the reserve fund of the President. These buildings have been constructed using the funds from the reserve fund of the President. Our countrymen should rest assured: all the homes built for the IDPs, both apartments and individual houses, will be of the same level. In some cases we are told that when we want to resettle displaced persons from uninhabitable buildings and sanatoriums, they start to have certain thoughts and doubts.

When these buildings were under construction, there were certain doubts too. But now everyone can see that the conditions here are at the highest level. We must do this work at the highest level. Earlier we had no opportunities to do that and tent-camps were set up. But they were removed four years ago. Instead, we have such beautiful buildings and individual houses in the center of Goranboy.

We will continue this policy, seek to maximize the solution of social problems of refugees. We are seriously dealing with the issue of employment for the refugees, so that the situation in this area could also be at a high level.

Dear friends, let me salute you again and express hope that you will live happily in these homes.