After having inaugurated the Samur – Hazra highway, President Ilham Aliyev met with the representatives of the general public of the region.

Greeting the participants of ceremony, President Ilham Aliyev said:

- I congratulate you cordially. As you know, one year ago, I have signed the relevant order in relation to the construction of this highway. Resources have been allocated from the reserve fund of the President to construct this highway. Taking into account many requests of the Gusar residents, we have completed all the work, and now, this high quality highway is being commissioned.

According to the information reported now, this highway will serve to 16 thousand local residents. 27 districts and villages are located on this highway. So, it will make the life of people more comfortable. We have been shown the photos demonstrating the state of previous road. We cannot even call it a road. People have been facing difficulties on that road. From now on, this nice highway will serve people in the years and decades to come.

I think that it is a very important event. This shows that our road construction operations do not cover just highways, but also the village roads. The construction of village roads will be carried out at faster pace in the years to come because the construction of all main highways continues successfully in practical terms. Today, a part of the Baku – Guba highway has been commissioned. This is the highway of the highest quality. In all other directions, the construction of highways – Baku – Russia, Baku – Georgia, Baku – Iranian border is to be completed this and next years. As far as village roads are concerned, there is a big need for its construction. The road construction will continue in the most remote places and villages. People in all regions of Azerbaijan should use the good roads.

Road means development. It means culture. If there is a road, so will be the development. Gusar and neighboring regions have a big tourism potential. If there will be a road, then we will be able to use more efficiently these possibilities. As you know, during recent years, a fast paced development is taking place in Gusar. I am satisfied with the development pace. Economic development, industry, creation of tourism enterprises – in all these fields, the work is done at high level. During last 5 – 6 years, 17 schools have been constructed here. Several secondary schools have passed the renovation. The big hospital is under construction.

The Gusar – Shahdag Winter Summer Tourism Compound which holds the first place among tourism facilities of Azerbaijan is under construction. Today, I will survey once again the course of construction work being carried out there. As a result of commissioning of this Compound, thousands of jobs will be created. Large investments will be made into the economy of this region. Thus, long term and successful development of the Gusar region will be ensured.

We perform all this work in the planned way. Attention paid to the economic development of the country, measures undertaken to improve the lifestyle of people, social programs, salaries, pensions, creation of industrial enterprises, construction of tourism centers – all these factors serve to the only goal which is to ensure a good and prosperous life for Azerbaijani citizens and apply the highest standards existing in the world in each field of Azerbaijan, and thus, secure the comprehensive development of our country. Regions are developing; our capital city is developing; center towns become more attractive and renovated. So, this is the development!

As the President, it is already the fifth time that I visit Gusar. Each time when I come here, I am delighted to see innovations and development. I congratulate you wholeheartedly with all these achievements. I would like to say that the construction of road has been tasked to the regional executive power authorities, and I see that this work is performed with high quality and enthusiasm. Of course, in the years to come, additional funds will be allocated for the construction of other village roads. The Azerbaijani state is the mighty state. We have the strong economy and significant financial resources. All these possibilities are aimed at the development of the Azerbaijani people and our regions. I congratulate you once again on the occasion of this remarkable event.

As the requests on road construction have been made to me, I promised that we will succeed in this affair and I will participate personally in the opening of road. Today, I join you on this occasion. I congratulate you.

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Speaking on behalf of the local public, Masud Gadimov, the teacher of the secondary school in Hazra village thanked head of state for this attention and care by saying:

- Dear Mr.President,

Today is the very important and remarkable day in the life of the Gusar region. We have been looking forward to seeing this day because your each visit to Gusar is a real celebration for us. Following each visit of yours, we witness several innovations.

Mr.President! We as the Gusar residents are very happy that it is the fifth time in last 6 years that you honor us with your arrival. For this reason, we greet you on behalf of all Gusar inhabitants and extend our welcome to you.

Dear Mr.President! It is a great deal of work that you ensure the development of our republic by your titanic efforts and maintain the fast pace of development in all regions. Currently, all regions are developing. In each place, there is ongoing renovation and construction work. Our region of Gusar is not an exception! As you say, the region of Gusar became truly very beautiful. We are proud that the region of Gusar has the very picturesque panorama in comparison with the most attractive places of our republic. For all these achievements, we are thankful to you. It goes without saying that without your assistance, we could attain such comfortable conditions, development and well being. During last years, the very important facilities commissioned and the infrastructure projects implemented have become possible due to your attention and care.

Mr.President, all of us have a deep respect and affection to you because you kept always our problems in the center of your attention. You consider our problems as yours. This issue of road is a good example. When last time you came to Gusar, we have raised this issue and asked you to restore the road. We said that it is a very difficult task. If you remember, it was raining on that day. You invited us kindly to the meeting room.

President Ilham Aliyev: - Yes, yes. It was in a newly inaugurated Sport Compound.

Masud Gadimov: - Yes, you have had a sincere conversation with us. You said that all problems of the Azerbaijani people will be solved. Truly to say, it surprised us at first sight because such difficult job cannot be done so shortly. But, we are really impressed on this fast completion of the road construction. We know that you as President keep your promises. A word once said by the President is done in obligatory way. It is done with high quality and in short period of time.

Mr.President! Though the construction of this road has been completed in the shortest period of time, but it kept its high quality. Allah be content of you! 16 thousand of 27 villages that will use this road are thankful to you. They have been waiting for this road during decades. But, you have gifted this road to them. You brought them a new lifestyle by constructing this road. They feel an immense joy. It is simply hard to describe this feeling by words. Our forefathers were saying that it is a very noble work to construct a road or bridge. By the way, I would like to transmit the blessings and gratitude of our elderly as well as thanks of all those who will use this road and the population of 27 villages located on the hills of Shahdag. Let your way be always bright! We wish you a life as long and prosperous as the road you have constructed. Thank you very much, Mr.President!

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President Ilham Aliyev: Thank you. I thank you for kind words. I remember well that day. It was raining on the day of opening of the Olympic Sport Compound. So, we decided to sit and talk sincerely inside the room. I said on that day and I would like to say it again that I am working for the development of Azerbaijan. The goal of my visits to the regions is to define problems, hear your opinion about these problems, determine what should be done in which field, solve the problems, and then to see and share the joy of the problem resolution. The thing that brings me the biggest joy is to see a new enterprise opened or a school and a hospital being constructed each day in any region or area. This is our main goal. I would like to reiterate that all the work done has the several fixed goals. First of all, it is to ensure a better life for people, solve their problems and build roads.

Now, the process of supplying gas is going at fast pace in the region of Gusar. I have been informed that new gas pipelines are under construction for several villages. This process goes on. I gave instruction to ensure maximum supply of gas to the villages of Gusar.

As far as the public health is concerned, we can say that a large hospital for 230 beds is being constructed in Gusar. It will solve all health problems here. The hospital will extend diagnostics and medical treatment services. This means a good health for people.

As far as schools are concerned, I noted: What do 17 schools mean for us? This is our future. On the one hand, our children will study at these schools. On the other hand, teachers will have working conditions. Furthermore, it can be noted that the Olympic Compound has been built in Gusar. We have participated jointly in its opening. This means both physical and moral health. The people of Gusar like doing sport in particular. We have many prominent sportsmen from Gusar. A new generation should also get ready. They should be physically and mentally healthy and patriotic. Indeed, this means the patriotic education for them.

The mountain tourism center is under construction here. Gusar will become a world class tourism center. The work done there is in full conformity with the work carried out in other leading countries of the world. In some cases, the work is even better than the work done in those places because we know already their experience and apply it here at the modern level. Following one or two years, you will witness the influx of tourists from inside and outside the country. This is a way leading to the development, but also the area which can generate big profits. Countries of the world compete with each other to attract more tourists. It is a well thought and wise step to make Gusar become the tourism area number one in Azerbaijan. It means that as we count all these operations, it becomes a big value.

During next years, all necessary measures will be undertaken to solve the problems of the region of Gusar. New roads will be constructed here. All necessary work will be carried out for the development of agriculture, facilitate the activities of entrepreneurs and farmers and build new industrial enterprises. There is already the work done which can be seen in one region. We are able to do everything. The only thing is needed: a strong will. We have that strong will. There is a unity between the people and the authorities. We have the well balanced policy. Thus, our country will advance its development and join the ranks of the developed countries of the world.

I congratulate you sincerely once again. We will meet time and again in the future because I am sure that there will be a plenty of such memorable openings in Gusar.

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After the meeting, its participants took a family photo with President Ilham Aliyev.