Ilham Aliyev attended the opening of a new block for 1440 IDP families in Mushfigabad

President Ilham Aliyev has attended the opening of a new block for 1,440 IDP families in the Mishvigabad settlement of Baku.

President Ilham Aliyev and his wife Mehriban Aliyeva have attended the opening ceremony.

First, the President enquired about the conditions created in the apartment IDP from Agdam District and mother of a martyr, Nazila Tagiyeva.

Informing President Ilham Aliyev and his wife Mehriban Aliyeva, the Deputy Prime Minister and the Chairman of the State Committee for Refugees and IDPs, Ali Hasanov, said that the family of five had been provided with a four-room apartment. The apartment has all the conditions.

Family members were photographed with the President and his wife.

Then, President Ilham Aliyev and his wife Mehriban Aliyeva arrived at Agdam District secondary school No 33 for 1,300 children built in the settlement.

There is a bust of nationwide leader Heydar Aliyev in the lobby of the school.

The head of state reviewed the model of the settlement.

Deputy Prime Minister Ali Hasanov said that the settlement had been built in Mushvigabad in accordance with the additions to the "State Program on improving the living conditions and employment opportunities for refugees and internally displaced persons" approved by a presidential decree in 2007. The program proper was approved by a decree of President Ilham Aliyev from 2004. The new settlement will accommodate 1,440 families or 5,756 IDPs, including 320 from Agdam, 570 from Jabrayil, 290 from Fizuli, 100 from Zangilan and 160 from other occupied districts. The settlement covers 22 hectares. The buildings have 211 one-room, 659 two-room, 429 three-room and 141 four-room apartments.
It was noted that there is also a kindergarten for 140 kids in the settlement. The kindergarten fitted with the necessary equipment will provide kids with everything they need for training and education. Also built in the settlement are a community center, an office building, a first aid station, a post office, and a fire station with two exits. Built by the Fund for the Social Development of the IDPs, the settlement cost 127.5 million mantas which were allocated from the State Oil Fund. The construction began in February and completed at the end of this year.

The President also reviewed the photo stands describing refugee and IDP settlements built in the country thus far.
It was indicated that the work being done to improve the living conditions of refugees and IDPs shows that our displaced compatriots are surrounded by constant care and attention of President Ilham Aliyev. As a result of the measures taken to improve the living conditions of refugees and IDPs, there is not a single tent camp left in Azerbaijan now and all the people have been moved to modern settlements.

It was noted that from 1993 great leader Heydar Aliyev signed 81 decrees and orders, the Cabinet of Ministers issued 307 resolutions, and the Milli Majlis adopted 24 laws in this area. In 2003-2009, President Ilham Aliyev signed 49 decrees and orders in this field. Over the said period, two state programs and supplements thereto have been approved and successfully implemented. In 2001-2012, a total of 26,000 families, or more than 130,000 refugees and IDPs who had no fixed abode, were moved to 76 settlements consisting of high-rise buildings and private homes. During this period, 134 schools, five music schools, 48 kindergartens, 51 medical facilities, 37 houses of communication were built, thousands of kilometers of water, electricity and gas lines laid. Overall, in the time period between 1993 and 2012, a total of $5.4 billion was spent on addressing the social problems of refugees and IDPs. This year, the displaced families have received three settlements and two living quarters with the necessary social and technical infrastructure – 423 families in Shaki, 195 in Barda, 325 in Imishli, 1,440 in the Garadagh district and 502 in Mingachevir. The construction of a new settlement for 760 IDP families, or 3,420 people, is nearing completion in the Masazir settlement of Absheron District. Overall, the State Oil Fund has allocated 300 million manats in 2012, which is 2.2 times more than last year and 15 times more than in 2003. Over the years, important work has been done to improve the living and social conditions of refugees and IDPs.

President Ilham Aliyev and his wife Mehriban Aliyeva were familiarized with an exhibition of Karabakh carpets and items from local history museums of the occupied districts in the school’s gym.

While touring the school, the head of state was informed that it has excellent conditions and up-to-date training equipment. This confirms that while Azerbaijan is proud of its ample natural resources, it has chosen as its main objective a further development of human capital through the efficient use of these resources. The care and attention of the President to the development of education suggest that this factor has become an important component of public policy. This process is not limited to the capital and also covers the districts. It helps organize the education of our fellow countrymen ousted from their homeland on a high level. Considerable work has been done to strengthen the material and technical infrastructure of schools. All secondary schools now have computer labs connected to the Internet. Tremendous support in the implementation of this program has been provided by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation.
The President reviewed the computer lab, the classroom for military training, the assembly hall and the canteen,
After examining the school, President Ilham Aliyev met with local residents.

Congratulating the ceremony participants, President Ilham Aliyev said:

- Dear friends, I cordially salute all of you, sincerely wish you a Happy New Year and the Day of Solidarity of World Azerbaijanis. I also congratulate you on the opening of this beautiful settlement.

The construction of this settlement reflects the power and policy of the Azerbaijani state. The foundation of this policy was laid by great leader Heydar Aliyev. We are following his course and, as you know, first allocations from the State Oil Fund were aimed at improving the plight of the IDPs. From that time to the present day, the State Oil Fund has done a lot to provide the IDPs with comfortable houses and apartments. This year alone 20,000 IDPs have been provided with new apartments and private houses, similar settlements are under construction elsewhere. This settlement, these beautiful buildings and apartments will accommodate 7,000 IDPs. And this school is the biggest school built in Azerbaijan in the years of independence. Designed for 1,300 pupils, it is the biggest, the most beautiful and spacious school built in the last 20 years.

Everything necessary is available here – a kindergarten, beautiful buildings and a school. In order to improve the livelihoods of the IDPs such beautiful settlements and private homes are built in different parts of the country. As you know, we have consistently pursued this work. At the first stage, we, of course, had to improve the plight of those who lived in the poorest conditions. To this end, a lot was done until 2007 to get rid of the tent camps. At the next stage we have improved the conditions of those living in dorms, Finnish settlements, military units, and we are doing that now. Most of the people living in this settlement have lived in difficult condition in dorms for years. Today, the Azerbaijani is state successfully pursuing its policy in this regard. In general, billions have been allocated for this purpose over the last few years. This year, 20,000 IDPs are moving into new homes. Next year, more than 20,000 people will receive new apartments and houses. This year, the State Oil Fund has allocated the largest amount in our history – 300 million manats. At least 300 million mantas will be allocated next year. So we are consistently resolving this issue, and I am sure that in a few years, the key housing problems of the IDPs will be resolved.

As you know, the state program is being implemented. We are successfully implementing the State Program on improving the living conditions and employment opportunities for refugees and internally displaced persons. Our work is not limited to the construction of houses and settlements. We are also addressing employment issues. According to official statistics, the level of poverty among IDPs has sharply declined in recent years. In general, poverty in the country is at a very low level. Last year it was 7.6 per cent and by the end of this year it will be even lower. Poverty among the IDPs is also declining and employment rising.

In general, the process of job creation is well under way in our country. Over the last 10 years we have created 1.1 million jobs, and the IDPs can use these opportunities.

Overall, our economic reforms and policies have enabled us to build such fine settlements and buildings. If great leader Heydar Aliyev had not initiated the new oil strategy and if we hadn’t succeeded in implementing it, we could not build such settlements now. There are still IDPs living in difficult conditions, we know that. Again, we are consistently resolving the issue. Tent camps, Finnish settlements are already gone. There are those living in dorms and kindergartens, and we will resolve their housing problems too.

So this shows that the living conditions of the IDPs are at the heart of our public policy. This has always been the case. But at this stage our country has more resources. We have more financial opportunities. But I remember the time when the State Oil Fund was set up and great leader Heydar Aliyev channeled its first revenue into improving the livelihoods of the IDPs. So this issue was defined as a priority back then. It remains a priority today because the IDPs are the people living in the poorest conditions. The Armenians have carried out a policy of genocide against the Azerbaijanis. The Khojaly genocide is already recognized in the world as an act of genocide. Three countries have officially recognized the Khojaly genocide as an act of genocide, and this process will be continued.

Fundamental human rights of the Azerbaijanis are trampled. The basic and fundamental rights of over a million people are grossly violated. International organizations have passed decisions and resolutions, and thanks to the efforts of Azerbaijani diplomacy our just cause has the upper hand in all international organizations. The Armenian propaganda is already helpless. Unfortunately, the resolutions of international organizations are not being fulfilled. The international community, namely the countries that have taken on the mediatory mission, the Minsk Group, should be more active. They must show the aggressor its place, categorically demand that the conflict must end. One can’t come to terms with the occupation, it must end. We, the state of Azerbaijan, are strengthening our country, carrying out economic and political reforms, reinforcing our army and approaching victory day.

I have no doubt that Azerbaijan will restore its territorial integrity. I am confident that the people of Azerbaijan have no doubt about that either. We are simply trying to achieve this as soon as possible, so that our citizens could return to the lands that are now under occupation and we could rebuild and restore these cities soon. As you know, everything on the occupied lands is destroyed. All our historical monuments have been destroyed by Armenian bandits and vandals. The exhibits displayed in the school gym are our historical heritage. But most of our material heritage items kept in museums there have been looted, destroyed and burnt by the Armenians. Our mosques and cemeteries are in ruins. This was done by the Armenians, Armenian fascists. The international community, which is still putting up with this situation, should, I believe, make serious conclusions. The possibilities of Azerbaijan, the strength of our army are growing. The Azerbaijani people will never accept this situation. Using all the possibilities, we will restore our territorial integrity. The earlier an end is put to the conflict, the better for everyone.

We will continue our policy. We will not retreat a single step from our position of principle. Both international law and historical justice are in our favor. Nagorno-Karabakh is ancient Azerbaijani land and will remain as such. The international community does not and never will recognize the self-styled Nagorno-Karabakh as an independent entity. All the rigged elections held in Nagorno-Karabakh are condemned by the international community. The results of their trumped up elections are not recognized.

We must and will restore our territorial integrity. The Azerbaijani state will use all the possibilities to do that. I want to say again that we have to be even stronger in political and diplomatic areas, in the economic sector and, of course, in army building. One day we will restore our territorial integrity and then rebuild the destroyed cities. The Azerbaijanis must and will live in their own land. I believe in this, am sure of this and I am sure all the Azerbaijani people believe in this. We will see the day of victory.

At the same time, we are temporarily building such beautiful buildings for our compatriots. Both you and we know that this is a temporary place of residence. You should have good conditions wherever you live, even temporarily. The conditions created here meet the highest standards. The rooms are very spacious and bright, the settlement is perfectly planned, there is a school, a kindergarten and all communications, electricity and gas lines, water supply – everything has been taken into account so that you could live here comfortably, albeit temporarily.

I would like to sincerely wish you happy holidays. I want to convey my greetings and respect to all the compatriots affected by the occupation. Thank you.

Х Х Х

Expressing her gratitude to the President on behalf of the IDPs, the principal of Agdam District secondary school No 33, Nasiba Huseynova, said:

- Dear Mr. President,

Dear Mrs. Mehriban Aliyeva.

Welcome to this beautiful settlement that has been built for us, the IDPs. This is the best and the most beautiful gift on the eve of the upcoming Day of Solidarity of World Azerbaijanis and the New Year. On behalf of all the residents of this township we thank you for this invaluable gift.

Dear Mr. President, looking at this school you have built for us, we can’t hide our excitement. I would say that in the days when we were studying, even higher education institutions were not as beautiful and grand. We express our appreciation for this care and attention.

Mr. President, no other government in any of the conflict zones takes so much care about refugees and IDPs. To date, 76 modern settlements have been built for our fellow refugees and IDPs, thousands of our citizens have moved into apartments, tent camps have been eliminated. The basis of this attention and care about refugees and IDPs was laid by great leader Heydar Aliyev. Thank you very much for resolutely continuing this policy for nine years, for supporting us, and for giving us strength and inspiration.

Mr. President, the progress made in the nine years under your leadership encourages all of us. You are doing a lot for the prosperity and strengthening of Azerbaijan. Great leader Heydar Aliyev’s words, "I believe that Ilham Aliyev will continue the work I haven’t finished", said in 2003, are now becoming a reality. Our country’s authority in the international arena is growing every day, it is respected and supported.

Dear Mr. President, Armenian leaders have been making daily reckless statements on a daily basis. We believe that your successful policy can overcome the Armenian leadership and its patrons in the international arena.

Azerbaijan's election as a nonpermanent member of the UN Security Council in 2011 and its presidency in this structure, our country’s admission to the Executive Committee of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, the successful organization of the "Eurovision" song contest in Baku in 2012 are a logical result of your foreign policy.

Hardly a day passes without an international event being held in Baku. In 2015, Baku will play host to the inaugural European Olympic Games. This could be achieved only by a graduate of the school of nationwide leader Heydar Aliyev.

Dear Mr. President, your care about education, culture and healthcare in our country is evident. We would like to highlight the activities in this area of the First Lady of Azerbaijan, President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, MP, Goodwill Ambassador of UNESCO and ISESCO, Mrs. Mehriban Aliyeva, who works shoulder to shoulder with you. We express our deep gratitude to her. We believe that the victories Azerbaijan will achieve in the coming years will be associated with your name.

Dear President.

Dear Mrs. Mehriban Aliyeva.

We wish you a happy Day of Solidarity of World Azerbaijanis and a Happy New Year. May Allah grant you, your children and grandchildren good health, a long life and every success in your endeavors.

Well done!

ХХ Х

Then a picture was taken.