As part of a visit to the autonomous republic, President Ilham Aliyev has attended the opening of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic-Julfa highway.

First the President reviewed a stand describing the technical and economic parameters of the road.

It was noted that in accordance with the President’s instructions, a series of measures are taken to improve the transport infrastructure in the districts. From this standpoint, the construction of the Nakhchivan-Julfa highway, one of the strategic roads of the autonomous republic, i of great importance.

It was indicated that the 32.4-km road has an asphalt concrete pavement. The subgrade width of the road is 25 meters and asphalt coating 17.2 meters. The four-lane highway has 103 drainage installations. The construction of the Nakhchivan-Julfa highway, which is part of the Silk Road, will facilitate increased freight traffic into the autonomous republic. The high-capacity transit road is a major hub linking Julfa and Babak Districts with Nakhchivan city. During a trip to the region several years ago, President Ilham Aliyev attended the opening of the Nakhchivan-Sadarak highway linking the autonomous republic with Turkey.

The head of state cut the ribbon symbolizing the opening of the Nakhchivan-Julfa highway.

After the opening ceremony, the head of state met with public figures of Nakhchivan.

The President addressed the ceremony.

Speech by President Ilham Aliyev

- Dear friends, I sincerely congratulate you all on the opening of the Nakhchivan-Julfa highway.

The construction of this road is part of the creative work ongoing in the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic. Nakhchivan is developing in the true sense of the word. There is a very successful development in all areas in Nakhchivan. This is a dynamic development. All our economic indicators are good. Industrial production is growing, new businesses are emerging. The gross domestic product is increasing.

Visiting Nakhchivan to attend the opening of new facilities today, I can see successful development in each area, every sphere receives great attention.

This pleases me very much because it is a triumph of Heydar Aliyev’s policy. Under the leadership of the great leader our country has come a long way of development. Today Heydar Aliyev's policy is successfully implemented in all areas and in every region, including Nakhchivan. It is the only correct policy to protect our national interests. Our country’s dynamic development shows that there is no alternative to this policy.

Two days ago we celebrated the Republic Day. Last year we marked the 20th anniversary of the restoration of our independence. While participating in these events I always stressed one idea: the path to independence began under the leadership of Heydar Aliyev in Nakhchivan. It was under his chairmanship that a session of the Nakhchivan Supreme Majlis approved the tricolor flag of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic for the first time in our modern history and passed an appeal to the Milli Majlis of Azerbaijan seeking to approve it as our national flag.

It was the policy pursued by the great leader in Nakhchivan that the territorial integrity of Nakhchivan was ensured.

Armenian invaders hankered Nakhchivan too, the occupation of Nakhchivan was also part of their plans. But Heydar Aliyev’s determination and wisdom foiled these plans. Today Nakhchivan is rapidly developing.

A referendum on the preservation of the Soviet Union was held in Azerbaijan at the time. But Heydar Aliyev did not allow this to happen in Nakhchivan. Azerbaijan’s modern political system was created precisely in Nakhchivan. One might say that the establishment of the New Azerbaijan Party in 1992 gave an impetus to the creation of a modern political system.

So when we look back at our history on these wonderful holidays, we can see the great leader’s enormous contribution to the Azerbaijani people and state.

There is extensive creative and landscaping work throughout the country. Our country is developing. Azerbaijan is a leading country in the world for the pace of development. The financial and economic recession in Europe is ongoing.

But there are no signs of crisis in Azerbaijan. Azerbaijan developed even in the most difficult months and years of the crisis. All international rating agencies have raised Azerbaijan’s ratings. Economic development is progressing fast. Our non-oil sector development is measured by large digits. In the first quarter our non-oil industry grew by more than 16 per cent.

This suggests that the policy of diversification is yielding logical results.

Azerbaijan will only be developing in subsequent years. Over the past eight years we have tripled our gross domestic product and we have to further double it in the next ten years. In particular, due to the non-oil sector. To achieve this, we are currently preparing large-scale programs. Specific instructions have been given in this regard, there is development, improvement and landscaping in all our districts.

With regard to Nakhchivan, you, the people living here, will know very well how the autonomous republic is changing and becoming prettier. Nakhchivan is ancient land and an integral part of Azerbaijan. All stones, all monuments of Nakhchivan belong to the history and culture of Azerbaijan.

I am very pleased that ancient Nakhchivan is renewing and rebuilding, beautiful buildings and alleys are emerging. This road is a testament to the implementation of major road projects in Nakhchivan. Two years ago we opened the Nakhchivan-Sadarak road. It is a beautiful and comfortable four-lane road. Now we are gathered to open the Nakhchivan-Julfa highway.

A circular road was built prior to this. Thus, Nakhchivan is turning into a transit hub. Nakhchivan lives in the conditions of blockade but the people of Nakhchivan don’t feel it because the leaders of Nakhchivan are doing a great job. Besides, the Azerbaijani state, as always, pays great attention to Nakhchivan. Nakhchivan has every opportunity to meet the objectives facing the republic.

Further measures will be taken in the future to improve the road and transport infrastructure of Nakhchivan. New road projects are implemented. Now we give preference to rural roads because projects on main roads are being implemented in full. The construction of rural roads should be completed in the coming years. So the main and circular roads and the roads linking villages and settlements should be at a high level.

Other infrastructure projects are successfully implemented in Nakhchivan. Nakhchivan is fully gasified.

Electricity supply is very good. Those who experienced blackouts recall those days as a difficult time now. Nakhchivan exports electricity now.

At present, water and sewer projects are implemented all over the country, in every town and district center. These projects are scheduled for completion by the end of 2013. Thus, water and sewer problems will be resolved once and for all. We are dealing with education and health issues. Today we marked the opening of the Nakhchivan city out-patient clinic. In previous years we opened a diagnostic center, a maternity hospital and new hospitals in the districts. A project on the reconstruction of the Nakhchivan city hospital is being developed. Such an initiative has been made. And I support it.

I am sure that the people of Nakhchivan will renovate the city hospital at a high level.

By visiting a military unit today, one can see again how great the potential of Nakhchivan is. In recent years we have imported a large number of weapons and hardware. We have deployed air defense and modern artillery installations. Tanks, armored vehicles, helicopters… So the combat readiness and military capability of Nakhchivan are at a very high level.

Specific programs on agricultural development are being implemented. Nakhchivan provides itself with basic food products. This is very important for food security. Our building materials market is largely formed domestically. We opened a cement plant today. This pleases me very much because it is necessary for our country. Cement plants are under construction in Baku and in the western region of Azerbaijan. The Nakhchivan cement plant will enable us to fully meet the needs for cement and eliminate our dependence on imports.

So there is development in every area. The city of Nakhchivan is nicer and improving. Everything is pleasing to the eye, houses are built with great taste everywhere. This work suggests that the people doing it are totally attached to their native people and land.

Love of the motherland is important. Economic opportunities may and may not be great. But if you love the motherland, a lot can be done even with limited economic opportunities. I am very pleased that your affection for the motherland is, as always, at a very high level. These ideas, the philosophy of Azerbaijanism and our commitment to the state will lead us forward.

I have no doubt that all the tasks facing the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic will be successfully met in the coming years. All the infrastructure, social, economic and industrial projects and programs will be realized and Nakhchivan will become even more beautiful and stronger. I wish you all every success in this. Thank you!

The Chairman of the Supreme Majlis of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, Vasif Talibov, thanked the President of Azerbaijan for the attention and care.