Speech by Ilham Aliyev at the opening of a new block for 1440 IDP families in Mushfigabad

- 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.