Speech by President Ilham Aliyev at the Iftar ceremony on the occasion of the Holy Month of Ramadan

Your Eminence Sheikh!

Dear religious figures!

ladies and gentlemen!

Our meetings have already become a wonderful tradition. I am sure that this tradition will be continued in the future. The meetings, organized during the Holy Month of Ramadan at the invitation of His Eminence Sheikh, carry a great importance. It has already been mentioned here that relations between religion and the state in Azerbaijan are very sound. In countries with a long history of statehood, these relations were established earlier, in previous times. Azerbaijan has been independent for around 20 years, and it takes tremendous effort to regulate relations between religion and the state. I am very pleased that solidarity and unity of the Azerbaijani people and representatives of all ethnicities who have lived in Azerbaijan for centuries manifested themselves in the years of independence. The relations between religion and the state that were established in the years of independence are securing Azerbaijan’s successful development. A great contribution to the establishment and strengthening of these relations was made by Nationwide Leader Heydar Aliyev. His personal friendship with His Eminence Sheikh has also contributed a lot to the relations between religion and the state in Azerbaijan.

Today, representatives of all religions live in Azerbaijan like one family. This is our great achievement, a great success. Sometimes it seems to us that this must be the case everywhere. But unfortunately, it is not. There are religious confrontations, wars and clashes in some countries. I want to reiterate that representatives of all religions live in Azerbaijan in the spirit of peace and brotherhood. These traditions are strengthening, and I have no doubt that religious relations in Azerbaijan would be built properly in the future too.

We are a people adhering to our national values. Our national and spiritual values are most important for us. These values have played a crucial role in the formation of the Azerbaijani people. For centuries, we were part of other countries and were denied independence. Despite that, we have preserved our dignity, national identity, religion, language, customs and traditions, and today these factors are playing an important part in our development.

Restoration work has been underway on all religious monuments in Azerbaijan lately. Hundreds of new mosques have been built. Temples of other confessions are and will be built and renovated. This shows that there is no discrimination in this sphere in Azerbaijan. People loving their nation and respecting their religion should love those of other ethnicities and respect other religions. This is the foundation for the ongoing successful development of Azerbaijan. It is not by chance that Azerbaijan has started playing an important part in establishing and developing the global inter-religious dialogue. I am very pleased that the successes Azerbaijan has made in this sphere are duly appreciated in the world. These achievements are allowing us the opportunity to host authoritative activities in Azerbaijan. This has already been mentioned here. The birthday anniversary of His Eminence Sheikh was widely marked in Azerbaijan. Our visitors included religious leaders from different countries. Azerbaijan also hosted a summit of religious leaders of the world. We are still receiving feedback, impressions and recollections of that summit. This is very gratifying. We want to have more such activities in the future because I think Azerbaijan is a suitable place for them.

There is civil unity and civil accord in Azerbaijan. Great successes have been made in the solution of religious and ethnic issues in Azerbaijan. This is our great asset, great achievement. We value this very highly. I am sure that the successes made in Azerbaijan in this sphere, our experience may be studied in other places, and this process has already begun.

A year ago, we met in this hall and exchanged our views. The year has passed very quickly. When His Eminence Sheikh invited me to Iftar, I thought to myself: how quickly the year has passed! Why? Because so many events have happened this year, so many activities held. All work in Azerbaijan is done so quickly that sometimes you can’t notice how time spins away. This year has seen very positive processes in all spheres. Azerbaijan has become even stronger. Although the crisis which paralyzed the world in 2009-2010 has seriously affected many countries, we have managed to protect the Azerbaijani people from its consequences and ensured confident and dynamic development of Azerbaijan.

All social and economic programs are on schedule. There aren’t any delays. All projects have been realized on time and at a high level. This shows that our country has reached a level when even global problems are not affecting us a lot. The only reason for that is that we are pursuing a thought-out policy. Our policy looks to resolve both future and present problems of the country. All steps being taken are serving one goal: to make Azerbaijan even stronger, improve the well-being of the population, strengthen stability and security, so that the people of Azerbaijan could live a tranquil, free and secure life. We have all the opportunities to do that. Azerbaijan has achieved a lot in the area of state construction. We already have a strong state.

There are all freedoms in Azerbaijan. The freedom of conscience is protected at a high level. Democratic freedoms are strengthening and these tendencies are invigorating, which is a very important factor. Economic reforms are ongoing in the right direction. Our successes are the best evidence of that. Social problems are being resolved. Azerbaijan is expanding its influence. Our international authority is enhancing, the number of our partners is increasing. Azerbaijan has been treated as a reliable partner on a bilateral and multilateral basis for many years. In other words, comprehensive development of the country has been ensured. Strategic development directions have been identified. Specific programs for each period are being developed and implemented. This is why we have achieved a comprehensive development of the country. All problems the country is facing will be gradually resolved.

Our main task and biggest problem is the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh. Our unequivocal position in this regard is further strengthening. As Azerbaijan grows stronger, of course, so does the position of our country. Considering the fact that our position is not based on some unreal dreams but on logic, international law, resolutions and decisions of the most influential international organizations, the fact that Azerbaijan has strengthened the opportunities of influencing regional developments by its own activities and initiatives, has covered a long and successful economic road, I have no doubt that we will succeed in resolving this issue in line with international law and on the basis of Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity. I have no doubt about that.

We must enable every citizen, regardless of the position, to serve the strengthening of our country through hands-on work. Azerbaijan has been facing this injustice for many years. We were subjected to a policy of ethnic cleansing. Our citizens were driven out of their native lands. Unfortunately, this injustice is still continuing. But I am absolutely sure that Azerbaijan will restore its territorial integrity. I would like to recall my remarks at a ceremony to inaugurate the State Flag Square: the Azerbaijani flag will be hoisted in Nagorno-Karabakh!

Our cause is far. Azerbaijan is a peace-loving state. We strive for good relations with all countries on the basis of mutual respect and are succeeding in that. The processes unfolding in the country, let me repeat, are progressing well. Today’s meeting is a great example of that. All peoples, representatives of all ethnicities and religions live in the spirit of friendship and brotherhood in Azerbaijan. I have no doubt that this wonderful atmosphere will be preserved in the future too. Ethnic relations, inter-confessional relations, as always, will be dealt with at a high level in Azerbaijan.

On this wonderful day I would like to address my friend, His Eminence Sheikh. I would like to express my gratitude for the important work the Sheikh is doing in communicating Azerbaijan’s fair cause to the world community. His international authority and respect are making Azerbaijan stronger. The best example of that is the great international activities held at the initiative of His Eminence Sheikh. I am very pleased to hear kind words about His Eminence Sheikh in meetings with religious leaders of the world and heads of major states. This is a fair assessment, and I am very glad that His Eminence Sheikh is known and respected not only in Azerbaijan but elsewhere – both in our region, in the Caucasus, and in the world. I wish my friend, His Eminence Sheikh, further successes in his work. I wish him the realization of all his dreams. I do know that his most intimate dream is the liberation of Azerbaijani lands from occupation and the restoration of Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity.

Dear friends, let me greet you again on this wonderful day. The Ramadan Holiday is nearing and in the run-up to it I would like to wish the Azerbaijani people happiness, calm and well-being. Thank you.