- I sincerely congratulate you.

Congratulations to all the inhabitants of the Gozbarakh village on the opening of a beautiful new school. This is a great event. This village has never has such a school. There are images of the old school here. The fact that this school was built in a short time shows how strong the Azerbaijani state is.

We met about four months ago. Immediately after the devastating earthquake I came here to meet with you. I remember that day, that anxiety. And that was natural. People lost their homes in one day, there was extensive destruction. But I also remember what I said to you: “Don’t worry, all the houses will be restored and even more beautiful homes built in a short time.” Judging by the house I have just seen, the conditions are really better than before. The fact that so much work has been done in four months is really a great event. The entire work done after the earthquake, all the measures pursued one goal. The aim was to improve the living standards of people, quickly take them out of the difficult situation they found themselves in.

We identified places of temporary residence and brought in tents. Of course, living in a tent is very difficult. But we had no other option. The main issue was to organize reconstruction work in a short time, as soon as possible. Houses are now under construction, a school has been built. When I was here, people asked for a kindergarten to be built. They said: “There has never been a kindergarten here. We ask you to build one.” And a kindergarten was built.

The earthquake was a major disaster indeed, a great tragedy. Fortunately, there was no loss of life. Rescuers worked very quickly. A headquarters was set up. The repair work indicates that we can withstand any natural disaster and we have coped with this ordeal too. Of course, the repair and reconstruction work requires major resources. Our parliament amended the budget then, additional funds were provided and the work began.

In Zagatala alone over 3,500 homes were destroyed or became unusable. That is, the earthquake caused the most serious damage to Zagatala District. There is destruction in other neighboring districts, but the greatest destruction is in Zagatala. At present, construction of 3,000 homes is ongoing. Schools are built, 36 schools will be rebuilt, including 21 in Zagatala.

Of course, the earthquake was a great challenge, a great tragedy, a disaster. But at the same time, the relief work has helped create even better conditions. The house I looked at today is pleasing to the eye. It is a two-storey home with beautiful architectural elements. It is twice as spacious as the previous home of the family.

I should also note that all the work is being done at the expense of the state. Natural disasters, floods, earthquakes occur in different regions, in different countries. Usually the state, i.e. in developed countries, does not engage in repair and restoration work. People themselves – their homes are insured – apply to insurance companies and, after receiving compensation, restore their homes. This is not the case in Azerbaijan. Our houses, especially in rural areas, are not insured. In fact, in the future we have to think about that. In Baku, this process has already begun. This must be done in the regions too.

Therefore, the state has assumed all the expenses. So all the buildings and houses are built at public expense and donated to the people, which is another indication that the Azerbaijani state consistently carries out its social policies. At the heart of our policies is the citizen of Azerbaijan, his life, safety and welfare. This serious disaster, the earthquake has demonstrated again that Azerbaijan, when confronted with any ordeal, can overcome it on its own and with dignity.

In general, things are going well in Zagatala, the state program on the socioeconomic development of districts is being implemented. Great creative work is under way both in the city and villages.

This program will enable us to resolve all key socioeconomic issues in the near future.

The picture I see in this village makes me happy. Construction work is ongoing and local villagers are actively involved in it. The construction of such a beautiful school in four months, the restoration of houses, road construction demonstrate the power of the Azerbaijani state and intentions of the Azerbaijani government.

I want to sincerely congratulate you on this wonderful event. I wish you continued success. I hope that all the other houses in the village will be restored in the coming months and people will live there in comfort.

XXX

Then, President Ilham Aliyev met with representatives of the district public.

Villager Ahmad Gurbanov thanked the President for the attention and care.

Х Х Х

President Ilham Aliyev: Thank you. In fact, I last came here in May. But then we had to do other things. And the mood of the villagers wasn’t so good. Last time I flew in a helicopter to survey the panorama from the top. Indeed, my main focus was on the destroyed houses. But at the same time, seeing the beautiful nature of this village, I felt a sense of joy – what a beautiful country Azerbaijan is, there are so many beautiful and picturesque places here! These places should only see development, creation and improvement.

The fact that this work has been done in four months is really a great event. This, first of all, demonstrates the power of the Azerbaijani state. We have done this work at our own expense. Our construction companies, government agencies and citizens have carried out this work using their own funds. I am confident that restoration work will be completed in the near future. In general, we have major plans for the development of the north-western region. Many of these plans have already been implemented. The construction of infrastructure and airports. Look, there are airports in Zagatala and Gabala now. Construction of roads, there is a water supply project. By the end of next year, if not earlier, we will complete a project to provide drinking water to the city of Zagatala. Gasification and school construction are powering ahead. The district has about 70 villages. Currently, the majority of schools are in a normal condition – these are either newly-built or renovated schools. The schools that are in bad condition will also be renovated. There will be no schools in disrepair.

We are addressing healthcare issues. I remember we built a diagnostic center here. Then we fully restored the city hospital, the sports complex, cultural institutions. The city is becoming prettier, it is very well landscaped. We must make the most of the tourism potential of this region. We should also develop domestic tourism, so that our citizens could come and rest here. I know they are coming here now, but there should be more visitors. Foreign tourists should come here as well, because Azerbaijan is already a well-known country in the world. All foreign visitors coming here, i.e. those coming here with good intentions, can’t help admiring Baku: what development the city has gone through! Baku is one of the most beautiful cities in the world.

The districts must also develop. That is why I initiated a program on the development of our districts in 2004. Just imagine: if the program had not been adopted and if we had not paid due attention to the development of our regions, the successes of Azerbaijan would be half-hearted and economic development could not be so rapid. In six months of this year, our non-oil economy, i.e. the economy emerging mainly by industrial production and agriculture, grew by more than 10 per cent. Our oil economy has dwindled because oil production has slightly decreased.

We are implementing plans on reducing and eliminating dependence on oil. People’s well-being is improving, pensions and salaries are increased and jobs opened. This is development. We achieved all that during the financial and economic crisis that is still shaking the world. The other day one of the world’s most authoritative international structures, the Davos Economic Forum, placed Azerbaijan in 46th place in the world in terms of economic competitiveness and in first place in the CIS. In terms of the rate of economic development Azerbaijan is first again. Azerbaijan is also first in the region in sports.

Azerbaijan has become a member of the UN Security Council. 155 countries supported our candidacy. At a recent summit of the Non-Aligned Movement, 120 countries supported the position of Azerbaijan on the Armenian-Azerbaijani Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. That is, our successes should be and are visible everywhere.

They should be visible in every village. We see this in the Gozbarakh village. This is my second visit to this village. Thank you for the invitation. If I have time, I will come again. This shows that every village and every villager is at the center of our attention. If we resolve all the issues in every village, there will be no outstanding issues at the national level either.

Maintenance and repair work is ongoing. I want to repeat that local villagers are heavily involved in this work. The Ministry of Emergency Situations has been working very hard. The local authorities are also working hard. When we were here last time, we held a large meeting at the Zagatala headquarters. Instructions were issued. Since then, over the last four months, the implementation of this work was constantly under control. I have come here on the eve of a new school year to open this school together, familiarize myself with the situation and see how things are going. In my opinion, they are good.

I hope that most of the work will be done by the end of the year. The scope of work is extremely large. We are now analyzing the situation. It suggests that there are other homes that are in disrepair. We need to start repairing them. This is hard work. But we can handle it. We will restore all the houses and create even better conditions.

Resident: Thank you very much! Inshallah.

President Ilham Aliyev: I am very pleased to see the people of Gozbarakh in good mood today. This suits our country and our development.

Resident: Thank you very much!

President Ilham Aliyev: Thank you! Congratulations again.

Resident: Thank you very much!