Ilham Aliyev attended the opening of a new settlement for 423 IDP families in Shaki

President Ilham Aliyev has attended the opening of a new settlement for 423 IDP families in Shaki.

First, the head of state visited the house of IDP from Shusha Vagif Huseynov.

Two children of this family recited the poem “Azerbaijan” by people’s poet Samad Vurgun for the President.

The President of Azerbaijan reviewed the house. It was noted that Vagif Huseynov’s family consists of six people and has a four-room house. It has all the conditions for a normal family life.

Then President Ilham Aliyev arrived at Agdam secondary school No 29 for 360 IDP children built in the settlement.

Villagers warmly welcomed the President.

President Ilham Aliyev watched a performance by an amateur group.

Then the President met with the IDPs.

Saluting the ceremony participants, President Ilham Aliyev said:

- I congratulate you on the opening of this wonderful school and settlement. This beautiful settlement consisting of 423 houses was built in just a few months. Our fellow citizens living here now used to live in Finnish homes and experience great difficulties.

In order to improve their plight and living conditions, we have built a beautiful settlement. This is really a great occasion, a historical event which indicates that the state of Azerbaijan treats its citizens, especially those in need, with great care.

As you know, we allocated 300 million manats from the State Oil Fund of Azerbaijan this year. This amount exceeds those that were allocated in previous years. Next year, we are likely to further increase it in order to resolve the problems of the IDPs.

The settlement was built on the basis of the “State program on improving the living conditions and employment opportunities for the IDPs” which was adopted earlier. This program has enabled us to eliminate all tent-camps and build new settlements at the first stage. At this stage, we are providing our fellow countrymen settled in Finnish homes, schools and military units with excellent conditions. The construction of this settlement is only part of the work ongoing this year. Several settlements have been built and are under construction this year. Several more settlements will be commissioned before the end of this year. A nice school, nice houses, comfort, infrastructure, utilities – all the problems have been resolved. Electricity, water and gas lines have been built, roads paved. In short, you can live comfortably in this settlement. By creating this settlement the state of Azerbaijan demonstrates its social policies again.

As regards the activities of the Oil Fund, we can say that all the IDP settlements – both those already built and those that will be built in the future – have been and will be built at the expense of the Oil Fund. This tradition was initiated by great leader Heydar Aliyev. In was on his behalf that first allocations from the Oil Fund were channeled into addressing the problems of the IDPs. As in any other area, we are committed to the policy of the great leader in this sphere too. This policy continues, and currently the Oil Fund is working very hard on this. This and other settlements built through the Oil Fund are another indication that the oil belongs to the people of Azerbaijan, is our national treasure. By rationally using this wealth, we are strengthening the country's economy, implementing infrastructure projects and at the same time resolving the problems of the IDPs.

I am sure that new settlements will be built in the coming years too. Currently, 120,000 IDPs are provided with beautiful houses like these. But many of our IDPs still live in poor conditions. We will keep on trying to resolve their problems and, as I noted earlier, the IDPs will be relocated from dormitories, schools, kindergartens, military units to beautiful new homes and buildings.

We are reducing this social burden. At the same time, we are dealing with the problem of IDP employment. But the main problem is the ongoing occupation of our lands. You know the reason for that too well. As a result of Armenian aggression against Azerbaijan and its aggressive policy, our lands are under occupation. Due to the support provided to the Armenians by their defenders worldwide, this issue remains unresolved although there are all the possibilities, the legal framework to resolve the issue.

International organizations have adopted resolutions and decisions. Leaders of the world’s top countries have made statements that the current situation is intolerable and must be changed, the status quo must be changed. Unfortunately, Armenia remains indifferent to these appeals, while the international community does not put sufficient pressure on it. This is why the issue remains unresolved.

We will continue to strengthen our country and its international standing. There are sufficient legal grounds for resolving the issue, and these grounds support the position of Azerbaijan. The UN, its Security Council, the OSCE, the Council of Europe, the European Parliament and other international organizations have passed decisions that represent the only way to resolve the issue.

Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity is recognized by all countries, and this issue can be resolved only within the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan. Azerbaijan's position related to the solution of the problem remains unchanged, and we will not deviate from this path. Nagorno-Karabakh is native and historical Azerbaijani land. Azerbaijan must restore its territorial integrity. The occupiers must and will be removed from all the occupied lands and the citizens of Azerbaijan must and will return to their native lands.

Our fellow compatriots will return to the regions located outside the administrative borders of the former Nagorno-Karabakh autonomous region, to Nagorno-Karabakh, Khankandi, Shusha.

I am sure of this, I believe in this, and there are many factors that increase my confidence: international law, the economic power of Azerbaijan, our military capabilities and Azerbaijan’s growing political clout. Looking at the history of just one year we can see Azerbaijan’s successes. We are a member of the most influential international organization in the world – the UN Security Council. A few months ago we presided over the organization. We joined the organization with the support of 155 countries.

Recently 120 countries members of the Non-Aligned Movement supported a resolution on the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict within the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan. 120 countries represent the majority of the international community.

We often hear the term “international community”. Some organizations and structures imply themselves by saying “the international community”. The international community is not what unites 20 or 30 countries. The international community is the UN where we were supported by 155 countries. The international community is the Non-Aligned Movement which includes over 120 countries. They have also supported us. That is, the international community supports our position, which, of course, gives us additional opportunities and increases our confidence.

But at the same time, the Minsk Group was established 20 years ago specifically to resolve this issue. But it can’t resolve this problem, it can’t exert the necessary pressure on Armenia. We see that this issue can and should be resolved through Azerbaijan’s strength. Therefore, we have to be even stronger. We must and we do build up our military strength. Today the Azerbaijani army is one of the strongest armies not only in the region but also globally. By strengthening our economic potential, we are leading our country forward. This enables us to pursue an independent policy on all issues. In our foreign and domestic policies we make decisions based on national interests. A strong Azerbaijan is a strong regional factor. It is also a stabilizing factor. At the same time, it is impossible to ignore Azerbaijan in regional issues. Attempts to ignore Azerbaijan did not bring any results, and recent history proved that. Therefore, the stronger we are, the sooner Azerbaijan will restore its territorial integrity.

We have an unequivocal position with regard to the issue. I have repeatedly expressed my views about it. Occupying forces must withdraw from all the occupied lands. Then peace and cooperation can set in and the source of danger eliminated. As long as our lands remain under occupation, Armenia is the number one target for us.

We will continue isolating Armenia from all international and regional projects. This policy is paying off, Azerbaijan is the reason for the profound economic crisis in Armenia. This is unequivocal.

According to official statistics, 80,000 people left Armenia in the first half of this year. By the end of the year this figure will probably double. Azerbaijan’s population is growing, and in 5-10 years’ time this percentage will be one to ten, perhaps even more. So these factors should make them think. Their difficult economic situation, the demographic picture, isolation from all international issues should worry them.

Meanwhile, Azerbaijan is moving forward. Although our lands are under occupation, we are making great progress and increasing their number. A few days ago, the influential international economic structure, the Davos Economic Forum, placed Azerbaijan in 46th place for economic competitiveness and in first place in the CIS. That is, our cause is just. We want to restore justice and we will succeed.

For us, for our foreign policy, the top priority issue on the agenda is the liberation of our lands from invaders. We work day and night and will continue to do so.

Dear fellow countrymen, dear friends, you have been living in Shaki for many years. The people of Shaki have embraced you.

You feel at home here. But, of course, I know that you look forward to the time when you will return to the Karabakh land. Those days will come. But in Shaki you have all the conditions. The people of Shaki are very hospitable and kind. And you see and feel that.

Major steps are taken to develop Shaki and the district. I have repeatedly visited Shaki – last year, this year, in previous periods.

Extensive creative and landscaping work is done. Today we laid the foundation of the Heydar Aliyev Center. A lot is done in Shaki in the field of culture, health, education, infrastructure projects are implemented. Shaki is a major cultural center, a region with a rich history and culture. Historical monuments and cultural institutions of Shaki are properly protected and restored because this is our national heritage.

We are resolving utility infrastructure issues in the city and the district. In short, Shaki is developing very dynamically. Shaki holds a special place in the Azerbaijan state. I repeat, it is a center of culture, art and science. There is beautiful nature and great people here, and I am delighted that work in Shaki is done rapidly and accurately. I last visited Shaki last fall. Less than a year has passed, but the changes I have seen have pleased me a lot.

I have signed several orders on the development of Shaki. The particularly important ordinance addresses issues relating to the history of Shaki and its future development. I have recently signed an additional order on the construction of rural roads. Major funds are and will be allocated in the future for Shaki and all our towns and villages to become even more beautiful. In general, Azerbaijan’s north-western region has become a travel destination. I want it to become a tourist center not only in Azerbaijan, but also a center of international tourism. To do this, we have specific ideas and plans.

Once again, I salute you all and wish you happiness. I hope your life here is calm and good, your children study well and grow into a beautiful young generation.

XXX

Teacher Aysel Mustafayeva, principal of Shaki school No 20 Mais Salimov and MP Yagub Mahmudov thanked the President of Azerbaijan for the attention to the families of the displaced and the development of Shaki.

Then the head of state examined the conditions created at secondary school No 29.

Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the State Committee for Refugees and IDPs Ali Hasanov said that this school has excellent facilities and is fitted with modern training and educational equipment. This is yet another confirmation of the fact that Azerbaijan has chosen as a priority area further development of human capital through the effective use of the rich natural resources. The attention and care of President Ilham Aliyev about the development of education show that this is one of the important principles of state policy in recent years. This process is not limited to the capital alone, it also covers the regions, ensuring a high level of education for those driven out of their homes. The number of schools built in Azerbaijan in recent years is higher than at any other time in the past. Many schools now have new buildings. This process covers even the most remote regions of the country. A lot has also been done to strengthen the material and technical logistics of schools. All secondary schools have Internet-connected computer classrooms. Tremendous support for the government’s education program is provided by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation.

It was noted that the village also has a kindergarten for 50 kids. It has all the conditions for the training and education of children. Also, the village has a community center, an office building, an out-patient clinic and a post office. The settlement has been built on the territory of the Kish municipality of Shaki District in accordance with the Presidential Order of 31 October 2007 “On amendments to the State Program on improving the living conditions and employment opportunities for of refugees and IDPs”, approved by President Ilham Aliyev on 1 July 2004. The new settlement will house 372 families or 1,551 people from the Finnish settlement of Shaki District, as well as 51 families or 209 people living at the school. A total of 423 families or 1,760 people will be resettled, including 149 IDP families from Agdam, 168 from Lachin, 53 from Kalbajar, 44 from Shusha and nine from Khojaly. The settlement covers an area of 84 hectares, has 17 one-room, 211 two-room, 175 three-room and 20 four-room houses. The new settlement has been built by the Foundation of Social Development of the IDPs using the funds in the amount of 33,227,000 manats allocated from the State Oil Fund. The settlement’s electricity, water and gas networks are connected to the Shaki communications system.
While at the school’s gym, President Ilham Aliyev watched a performance by pupils and was photographed with them.
On the second floor of the school there are stands reflecting the care and attention of nationwide leader Heydar Aliyev and President Ilham Aliyev about internally displaced persons.

Then the head of state reviewed the surrounding area from the balcony of the school.

President Ilham Aliyev praised the work done in the settlement.