Ilham Aliyev attended the presentation ceremony of the war banner of Civil Defense Troops of the Ministry of Emergency Situations

President, Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, Ilham Aliyev took part in the presentation ceremony of the war banner of Civil Defense Troops of the Ministry of Emergency Situations.

President Ilham Aliyev arrived at “N” military unit of the Civil Defense Troops.

Minister of Emergency Situations, Colonel-General Kamaladdin Heydarov reported to the President.

President Ilham Aliyev laid a wreath at the monument to the national leader Heydar Aliyev.

Commander of Civil Defense Troops, Major-General Ilham Abdullayev reported to the Supreme Commander in Chief.

The President saluted the soldiers.

Then, President of Azerbaijan, Supreme Commander Ilham Aliyev presented the war banner to the military unit and congratulated the personnel on this occasion.

The national anthem of the Republic of Azerbaijan was performed at the ceremony.

The Supreme Commander gave a speech in front of the military personnel.

President Ilham Aliyev viewed the conditions created at the military unit after reconstruction works.

Speech by the President of Azerbaijan, Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces Ilham Aliyev

- Dear soldiers, officers and generals!

Let me sincerely congratulate you on receiving the military banner and wish you further successes in your service. 

It has been five years since the Ministry of Emergency Situations was established. Over this period, all of the ministry’s structures have formed and are now meeting modern standards. The establishment of the Ministry of Emergency Situations was a momentous event for our country. Life has demonstrated that there was a strong need for establishing the ministry.

Over the last five years the ministry’s material and technical infrastructure has been established, state-of-the-art technical facilities and equipment acquired. The process of formation of all divisions of the ministry has been practically completed and its current activities are fully in line with the highest standards. Over this period the ministry personnel have demonstrated their professionalism both in and outside Azerbaijan. Employees of the ministry have duly represented Azerbaijan in eliminating the consequences of calamities in different countries and have been successful in fighting calamities in countries that are our friends. The activity of the ministry is very much appreciated in other countries as well.

Thanks to the technical facilities acquired over this period, employees of the ministry have demonstrated their professionalism in preventing accidents and eliminating the consequences of natural disasters in the country. Last year Azerbaijan saw unprecedented floods and mudslides. A certain part of the country’s territory, i.e. tens of thousands of hectares, was flooded, while thousands of houses were destroyed.

Employees of the Ministry of Emergency Situations worked in close cooperation with other state bodies to move people to safety. Thanks to their activities this major calamity passed off without any casualties in Azerbaijan. This is a great success, a major achievement. People’s health and safety is, as ever, our top priority. Afterwards, construction work was carried out in the areas affected by floods and mudslides. Thousands of new homes were built over several months, and our countrymen affected by the calamity are moving into them. On the one hand, this shows that all of the ministry’s structures have formed and are capable of fulfilling any task. On the other, this shows that Azerbaijan is a strong state. We have eliminated the consequences of this major calamity and created good conditions for people. If the Ministry of Emergency Situations had not been established, such calamities could have cost us dearly.

All structures and government agencies in Azerbaijan must meet modern requirements. Our country is developing and modernizing. Today, Azerbaijan has managed to take a rightful place in the world. The processes within the country are developing in a positive direction. In recent years our country has covered a long and glorious road. Very important steps have been taken to strengthen our independence, great successes have been achieved. We are implementing a successful and long-term development strategy of our country. The country is being renewed and landscaped, and is becoming prettier.

Of course, these realities are possible today thanks to the work done in the area of professional training. Azerbaijan is carrying out sound economic and social policies, training professionals in all specialties. We must ensure that all government agencies and ministries in Azerbaijan meet modern requirements. Azerbaijan is and will be importing the most cutting-edge technologies. We can see this in the example of the Ministry for Emergency Situations. The most sophisticated technical facilities, aircraft for fighting fires, helicopters and most advanced machinery are being acquired so that we could reach the desired level in strengthening our material and technical infrastructure. Along with this, continued professional training is of tremendous importance, and great progress has been made in this sphere.

Under such circumstances, our aspiration to meet modern requirements is not limited to achieving a goal. The meaning and essence of this is to ensure that all structures in Azerbaijan act promptly, with flexibility and professionalism, meet modern standards, and our country continues its successful development.

Excellent prospects are opening up before us. The public and political stability in Azerbaijan is durable and securely protected. Economic and political reforms are under way in the country. There is a process of modernization in all spheres of life in Azerbaijan. We must reach the level of the most advanced and developed countries of the world, such a goal has been set. To do this, economic and political reforms and structural transformation are and will be carried out. All structures in Azerbaijan must meet high standards. 

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The civil defense troops personnel marched in front of Azerbaijani President, Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces Ilham Aliyev to the tune of a solemn military march

President Ilham Aliyev was familiarized with post-reconstruction conditions at the military unit.

Minister of Emergency Situations Kamaladdin Heydarov informed the President that the ministry he is heading is paying great attention to the establishment of a civil defense system in the country. To this end, major renovation and reconstruction are being conducted at the level of world standards at buildings of civil defense troops and military units specializing in this field. The ministry’s response to emergency situations, natural and man-made disasters, as well as its flexible and prompt response to incidents, are highly appreciated by foreign partners as well.

The head of state was informed that a hospital for civil defense troops of the Ministry of Emergency Situations would soon be built in Baku. It was indicated that the hospital would be built in an unconventional architectural style. It will be applying the latest innovations in the field of medicine. The hospital will be equipped with modern facilities.

President Ilham Aliyev was familiarized with the medical station of the military unit. It was noted that the station is fitted with modern medical equipment and necessary medicines. 

While touring the three-storey educational building of civil defense troops, the Supreme Commander-in-Chief was informed that modern classrooms are provided with visual aids and promotional materials. Classes focus on bolstering the patriotic spirit of soldiers and officers. The building also has specialized classrooms, a large number of visual aids on state symbols and Azerbaijan’s military history. In addition, the personnel are provided with information on the participation of civil defense troops in international exercises and drills conducted in the country. 

Classrooms contain visual aids on personal protective equipment and decontamination regulations, the diseases caused by biological means, and the properties of potent poisonous substances. Along with this, the personnel are briefed on artillery shells and warheads, demolition and fragmentation antipersonnel and antitank mines, safety rules.
The Supreme Commander-in-Chief was also familiarized with the Museum of Heydar Aliyev established within the educational facility. The photographs demonstrated at the museum document various aspects of great leader Heydar Aliyev’s multifaceted activities at different periods of leadership in Azerbaijan. Some pictures also document different aspects of disaster relief work conducted under the leadership of Heydar Aliyev. 

The building’s 300-seat conference hall has all the conditions necessary for conducting various activities of civil defense troops and the military unit.

While touring the building that accommodates the central command of civil defense troops, President Ilham Aliyev was informed that it had also been renovated. The building has all the conditions for the fruitful activity of commanders and officers.

The head of state toured the military unit’s barracks. It was indicated that there are excellent conditions for the recreation of the personnel. There are good living conditions for soldiers as well.

While touring the sports facility of the military unit, President Ilham Aliyev was informed that it was fitted with modern equipment and can host various competitions. The indoor gym also has a photo stand describing the attention and care great leader Heydar Aliyev and President Ilham Aliyev have been paying to the development of sports in the country.

Different cups won by ministry sportsmen and athletes of civil defense troops in various competitions are also on display here. There are fitness and boxing gyms, rooms for table tennis and billiards, and a basketball and volleyball ground.

Then President Ilham Aliyev was familiarized with the technical facilities passed over to the command of civil defense troops, examined the vehicles used in special operations and a mobile diagnosing station. It was indicated that the stationary truck fleet was equipped with machinery and hardware of different profiles, produced by the world’s developed countries.

Then President Ilham Aliyev toured the canteen. It was noted that the 600-seat canteen had all the conditions for high-quality nutrition of soldiers and officers.

The head of state and the Supreme Commander-in-Chief expressed his satisfaction with the conditions at the military unit.