Speech by Ilham Aliyev at a meeting with the public of Masalli District

Let me warmly salute and congratulate you on the reconstruction of the Nizami park. A very nice park has been reconstructed and created. A monument to Nizami has been erected. All this work pleases me a lot. I am very glad to come to Masalli again and meet with you.

We are witnessing a new period of development in Masalli because the work under way in Masalli and the projects shown to me today will lead to the solution of the district’s main social issues in the near future. Certain work has already been done. Permanent attention is being paid to the development of the district. As you know, an Olympic sports center was built, a branch of an ophthalmological hospital established and other projects implemented in previous years. Creative and landscaping work is under way in the city. But at the present stage we are resolving the issues that remained unresolved for many years. First of all, the gasification project. All settlements in Masalli will be gasified by the end of next year. This will be a historic achievement because Masalli villages have never had gas before. The supplies of gas to Masalli resumed several years ago. They covered a certain part of the city. Now a project has been prepared, and gas will be supplied not only to the city – I am now told that the issue has already been resolved in the city – but also to all the villages. This project must be completed by the end of next year. Thus, I think we will succeed in resolving a major issue.

There are no problems and limitations in electricity supplies. This problem has already been resolved throughout the country. So this issue is not even raised. The issue of gasification is on the agenda. We are working on it. Solution of drinking water and sewage problems – these are also very important issues. At present, these issues are dealt with comprehensively, practically at the nationwide level. Water and sewage lines are being laid in every city and district. The implementation of water-supply and sewage projects in Masalli will probably start in a few months. Thanks to the work to be done, this historical problem will be resolved.

We have a comprehensive approach to all these issues, so that socioeconomic development is achieved and specific projects are realized. This is the result of specific work. I do hope that problems of water and sewage will be resolved not only in Masalli, but also in the country as a whole in several years. At the same time, we are paying attention to the establishment of a new social infrastructure. According to the information submitted to me, over 20 schools have been built in Masalli in recent years, schools are being renovated. This is also very important. But there are still schools that are in emergency condition. We will renovate them. Projects on the construction of rural roads are on the agenda. We are working on that too.

Gross output in Masalli has doubled in recent years. This is evidence of economic progress, jobs are created, new enterprises set up, loans provided for agricultural development, cold storage warehouses and grain elevators built. In other words, specific programs are implemented in all the spheres, and the program on the development of Masalli is in the spotlight.

In general, the program on the development of districts is being implemented everywhere, including Masalli District. All projects of state importance are important for Masalli as well. Among these, I would like to point to the opening of the Lankaran airport three years ago, because residents of Masalli District can also benefit from its opportunities. International flights are currently being arranged. Construction of the Baku-Astara highway is under way. This will also open up new opportunities for Masalli. So projects of state importance will produce a positive effect, including these districts. As a result of the second program on districts, the main economic and social issues facing the country will be resolved by 2013.

While in Masalli today, I want to reiterate that special attention is being paid to the development of the southern region. This region has a great potential. Conditions must be and are being established for the development of agriculture, industry and tourism. All social, economic issues are and will continue to be resolved as well.

I wish you further successes. I want Masalli District to continue its rapid development and things always to go well here.