Speech by President Ilham Aliyev at a joint battle exercises of the Armed Forces

Dear servicemen!

Let me congratulate you and all the people of Azerbaijan on the forthcoming Day of the Armed Forces and wish you success in your service.

The Azerbaijani army is getting stronger by the day. The process of army construction in Azerbaijan is progressing well, which enables us to build up our military power. Army construction is a very important issue for any country. Of course, for a country at war it must be a priority. And it is – army construction in Azerbaijan is top priority. We have been suffering from aggression for many years, our lands are under occupation. We must be prepared to free our native lands from occupiers at any moment. To do that, along with political and diplomatic efforts, we must have a strong army, and this process is successfully under way. The level of the Azerbaijani army is very high today.

The professionalism and combat-readiness of our army are growing, the morale is high. At the same time, our military infrastructure is strengthening, and major steps have been taken in this direction in recent years. The state allocates sufficient funds to address the needs of our army. Let’s just look at one figure: in the last several years, to be exact, in the last seven years our military expenditure increased more than 13 times. Azerbaijan’s military expenditure for 2010 is $2,150 billion, which exceeds Armenia’s total budget. Several years ago we set a goal: Azerbaijan’s military expenses must exceed Armenia’s total expenditure. And this goal has already been made. We will continue to build up our military power and purchase the required arms, ammunition and hardware.

Additional steps will be taken in Azerbaijan in the area of military production. A lot of attention has been paid to this sphere lately. At present, there are 21 military enterprises, a military plant in Azerbaijan, 30 manufacturing facilities have been set up. We must ensure that all the hardware, arms and ammunition required for the armed forces are produced in Azerbaijan. We will further step up work in this direction. Of course, to do that financial resources and economic power are required, and we are working on that.

The economic policy pursued in Azerbaijan in recent years is yielding fruit. Azerbaijan is becoming a strong economy. Economic development in Azerbaijan in the last several years has been the fastest in the world, which enables us to take necessary measures in all spheres of our life.

Additional funds are being allocated not only for the military sphere but also all other sectors. As our budget increases, all socioeconomic issues are being tackled. But we must pay particular attention to the military spending. As our economic power grows, of course our positions in the region and the world are strengthening. Today Azerbaijan enjoys tremendous respect, and our position is quite firm. We are pleased with the work under way in the region. The work being done on our initiative fully meets our interests. We will take the necessary steps for the future development of the region. As Azerbaijan’s economic capacity increases, of course all the tasks will be fulfilled even more successfully.

The financial crisis which hit the world in 2009-2010 has almost bypassed Azerbaijan because the steps we have taken saved our country and population from its bitter implications. Azerbaijan is optimistic of the future and is stepping up its military power. I have no doubt that we will meet our economic, social and political goals. Our goals are to further strengthen our independence, conduct an independent policy and solve the tasks our country is facing. The most important of them is the liberation of our lands from occupiers. As you may know, talks between Azerbaijan and Armenia have been under way for years. Mediators are also playing a role in the talks. Despite this, the issue remains unresolved although there are decisions and resolutions of international organizations supporting our position, the position of justice. Practically all leading international organizations have passed decisions on the issue, but the occupying state ignores them. Under such circumstances Azerbaijan has two choices: either to continue the talks – we are ready for that provided that the talks will yield fruit, or choose another way. We must be prepared for any option, which is confirmed by the numerous statements I have made in the last several years.

We have never rejected a military option although we are in favor of peace talks. The talks have been under way for 20 years and Azerbaijan is demonstrating a constructive approach. But there is no result. How long should the people of Azerbaijan wait? How long should we wait for justice to be restored? The Armenian side ignores the norms of international law and flouts the decisions of international organizations. The patience of the Azerbaijani people is not unlimited.

In recent years we have been attaching special importance to army construction, and the figures I have provided here are only a small fraction of the work we are doing. Our key objective is to restore out territorial integrity by all means.

Let me repeat: we want to resolve the issue through talks. But if that proves impossible, the Azerbaijani army, all the armed forces must be ready to liberate our lands on the order of the commander-in-chief.

We don’t have claims on other countries’ lands although the present-day Republic of Armenia was founded on historically Azerbaijani lands. We must restore the territorial integrity of our own country. This is our natural right. The most fundamental human rights of one million Azerbaijani citizens have been breached. Azerbaijanis have been subjected to ethnic cleansing. Hundreds thousands of our citizens have been driven out of Upper Qarabag and adjacent districts. How long should we tolerate that?

I want to reiterate that we must mobilize all our opportunities, and we are doing that. We must step up both our political and diplomatic efforts. We must strengthen our economic potential. From the standpoint of economic potential, there is a huge gap between Azerbaijan and Armenia today. And this gap will be getting only bigger over time because we have enormous opportunities, while Armenia simply lives at the expense of foreign circles. It can’t live at its own expense, and this difference will gradually grow.

We must step up our military power, and we are doing that. Today the Azerbaijani army is prepared to fulfill all the tasks with dignity. I want to reiterate: combat-readiness, professionalism, patriotic spirit, military infrastructure, state attention and respect for the army – all these factors will enable us to free our lands from occupiers.

Upper Qarabag is native Azerbaijani land. Azerbaijanis lived there for centuries, while Armenians came there as guests. Suffice it to look at the original, i.e. real geographical names in Upper Qarabag. The town of Xankandi existed under this name for centuries. If one looks at old maps, one can only see Xankandi. There is no place called Stepanakert. The town was named Stepanakert after Bolshevik bandit Stepan Shaumyan during the Soviet Union. Upper Qarabag, Qarabag are Azerbaijani words. In the Armenian language they don’t mean anything. The names of all other geographical locations relate to Azerbaijani people, the history of Azerbaijan. The 19th century Armenian resettlement to Upper Qarabag changed the demographic situation, and by the time the Soviet Union broke up the Armenians formed a majority there. However, this doesn’t give anyone the right to breach the rights of Azerbaijanis who formed a minority there. Azerbaijanis have the right to return to these lands, and will do that. We want to do that in peace, but we must be prepared for all other options.

Today’s exercises have demonstrated the power of the Azerbaijani army and armed forces again. The exercises have been held jointly by the Defense Ministry, Interior Troops and Border Troops, and we will rise to fight for the motherland, for our lands together. All the people of Azerbaijan will be mobilized. All the armed forces will be mobilized. With this aim the armed forces will coordinate their activities. The key objective of the exercises is to liberate our lands from occupiers. The exercises have been very successful. Of course, they will be thoroughly analyzed. It will take some time. But the first impression is very positive. I can also see that all the tasks have been fulfilled and our armed forces have displayed great professionalism.

Dear servicemen – soldiers, warrant officers, officers and generals. Let me congratulate you again on the forthcoming great holiday – the Day of the Armed Forces, and wish you further successes in your service for the Motherland. Thank you.