Ilham Aliyev attended the opening ceremony of the reconstructed water supply and sewage systems of Agstafa

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has attended the opening ceremony of the reconstructed water supply and sewage systems of Agstafa.

Representatives of the district public warmly welcomed the head of state.

Saluting the representatives of the public, President Ilham Aliyev said:

- We are celebrating completion of this wonderful project. I am very pleased that the issue of water in Agstafa is finally being resolved.

This is a major and historic event. I am aware that the problem of water has caused a lot of suffering. Finally, this project is about to be completed. There should be no more problems with water here.

Drinking water is very important for everyone. Clean drinking water is of particular importance to human health.

Such projects are implemented in different parts of our country now. Today we have commissioned a similar project in Tovuz and earlier in the week in the city of Shirvan. We can say said that these issues and these projects have become widespread because their solution is necessary. All infrastructure projects are necessary, and we are consistently implementing them. The process of gasification is also under way in Agstafa District now, rural roads are built and issues related to electricity are being addressed. Of course, water and sewage projects have a special place among them, and we are doing everything we can to resolve these issues.

Of course, these projects require large funds. The government has taken on this financial burden. It is true that some projects are implemented at the expense of foreign loans, but these loans will be repaid anyway. So the entire financial burden has been assumed by the Azerbaijani government. I also want to emphasize that these projects are of a purely social nature. Water tariffs in Azerbaijan are very low. In other words, the funds invested in these projects will never be recovered by the government due to these tariffs. Maybe they will in 100 years. But such a goal was not even set. The main goal is to provide people with clean drinking water. We are approaching this goal. Similar projects will be implemented in many other districts before the end of the year. This process will be continued next year too. We have to try to resolve most of the issues by the end of next year. But these projects require very large financial and technical resources.

This is not just one town or village, these projects are implemented throughout the country, including Baku.

These are historic projects. Unfortunately, we have never been supplied with drinking water at the proper level. This is a perennial problem. But today the independent state of Azerbaijan is resolving this problem. The implementation of these projects, of course, serves the people. On the other hand, it demonstrates the power of our state and the advantages of our independence.

Today we are an independent state and are doing everything necessary for our country and our people.

The benefits of independence are in the implementation of such projects. Azerbaijan is not just independent, it pursues an independent policy and is a strong state. Only strong states are capable of implementing such ambitious projects.

I would also like to add that similar projects are implemented throughout the country. There are gasification projects. We must try to increase the level of gasification to almost 90 per cent by the end of this year. This has never happened before. Gas lines are being systematically built to the villages that have never been supplied with gas before, electricity projects are under way and roads are built. Our highways are pleasing to the eye and one can comfortably drive on them.

The first stage of the Baku-state border with Georgia highway has already been completed. But after that, next year, we will begin the expansion of the road from Ganja to the border. So the entire road from Baku to the Georgian border should be four-lane. And we will do that! The railway is under reconstruction and the speed of trains will be increased.

This is also very important, especially for the regions located far from the capital. The construction of new railway lines will enable us to increase the speed of trains by two to three times.

In other words, there are many similar projects. We are implementing all these projects for people to live better, lead comfortable and healthy lives. Drinking water is crucial for human health. I believe that by implementing these projects we have done a historic job.

Other projects are under way in the city and district of Agstafa. Creative and landscaping work is ongoing. New initiatives are put forward. Today I reviewed the work done in the park of historical monuments. This is also a great tradition. One can see ancient historical monuments and new monuments of Azerbaijan there. There is development everywhere, there is progress everywhere, and this will ensure further successful development of our country.

All of this work is underpinned by a sound policy. A crucial role has been played by the adoption of the state program on the socioeconomic development of regions in 2004. This year will see the completion of the second program, while the third program covering the period until 2018 will be adopted early next year. It will reflect all the unresolved issues.

I am very pleased to come to Agstafa again. I have been to Agstafa District several times. As President, I remember coming here for the first time in 2004. Then the situation was quite different. Now Agstafa is developing, thriving and becoming an advanced district.

RESIDENTS: Thanks to you, Mr. President!

President Ilham Aliyev: I am very happy to see this. I congratulate you on the work done and the successes achieved!

Thank you!

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District resident Galib Jafarov expressed his gratitude to the President of Azerbaijan for the attention being paid to the development of Agstafa.

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President Ilham Aliyev: Thank you very much. Thank you for your sincere words and for the appreciation of my work.

I try to serve the people conscientiously. In 2003, I gave my word that if the people show confidence in me, I will live for the people. Now, looking back at what has been done over the last 10 years, we can see that very much has been done in 10 years.

Azerbaijan has become stronger in every area. Now Azerbaijan is a regional state. Azerbaijan is a country with a very good reputation in the world. We achieved these peaks in international issues. There are no higher peaks out there. We are a member of the UN Security Council.

Armenia also entered this competition along with us. There were four countries - Hungary, Slovenia, Azerbaijan and Armenia. But when Armenia realized that it has nothing to counter us with, it gave up. It withdrew its candidacy in a quiet and cowardly manner. And I was convinced again how strong Azerbaijan is! I was convinced again that just as they fled from us in the political arena, they will run away on the field of battle. The military parade held in Azerbaijan last month demonstrated our strength again. Today, the Azerbaijani army is one of the strongest armies in the world.

Over the last 10 years we have been working hard to strengthen our country in every direction. Of course, the importance of Azerbaijan, our resources, the geographical location and, in general, our strategic significance require us to pay special attention to security issues. Army construction and security measures should be in the foreground.

Today, every Azerbaijani citizen lives quietly and feels very confident in every corner of Azerbaijan. Our people live in safety. This is a great result and a great achievement because we can see what events are taking place in various parts of the world. Confrontations, standoffs, civil wars, massacres – the wave of protests has swept several countries. There is a mass protest all over the world today. So we see that this is a feature of the present time. There are periods when there is calm, but there are also times when mass protests manifest themselves in various forms everywhere - in the Middle East, Europe and elsewhere. We can see that the situation in Azerbaijan is completely different. Azerbaijan looks like an island of stability in this stormy sea. We must and will protect Azerbaijan.

RESIDENTS: Thank you! Thank you very much! Glory to You!

President Ilham Aliyev: And I am trying to protect Azerbaijan from all troubles and all threats. It must and will be protected.

RESIDENTS: Thank you, Mr. President!

President Ilham Aliyev: For example, what are the visitors of Baku saying? Of course, they point to the beauty of Baku.

RESIDENTS: Baku is a beautiful city.

President Ilham Aliyev: You are saying that Baku looks like European capitals now. Of course, this is a high assessment.

But I believe that in many respects Baku has actually left them behind.

The foreign guests I meet with emphasize that people here go out and walk quietly, there are smiles on people's faces and there is such a pleasant atmosphere! This surprises them because in many places people's mood is not too good. There are economic and at times other problems people are worried about. Of course, there are problems in Azerbaijani society too. Every family has problems. But when taken as a whole, there is great elation and optimism in our society.

All international polls also show that citizens of Azerbaijan look to the future with great optimism. An influential organization has recently conducted a survey on the index of happiness. And Azerbaijan finished in the top ten. This is an independent European organization, an international structure. What does the index of happiness mean? It means what people feel. This positive atmosphere, dynamism, creation and the results are even more inspiring for people.

As for our domestic policy, the situation in Azerbaijan is very stable. Economically, the development we have had over the last 10 years was not observed in any other country of the world. Anyone can see that just by looking at the statistics. No other country has seen such development as Azerbaijan has in the last 10 years. So I have tried to work on all these areas. This is my duty. This is how I see my duty. I believe that every president should be aware of his duty. For some, the presidency is a privilege, for others it is the opportunity. For me, it is the responsibility and great trust extended by the people. I try to justify that trust every day.

Such projects please me as much as you, maybe even more because for me the most important goal is to make people’s lives even better! Every new building, road, enterprise or water line further increase my strength and confidence.

I am glad that over this period I have been able to serve my people.

I am grateful to the people of Azerbaijan for giving me this opportunity.

RESIDENTS: Thank you! Glory to You! We are also grateful to you.

President Ilham Aliyev: You are saying next year. I will come here with great pleasure again next year.

RESIDENTS: Inshallah!

President Ilham Aliyev: I come here every year. I came here last year too and the year before that.

RESIDENTS: Please do! On every visit of yours Agstafa develops.

May Allah protect you, your family and your children, Mr. President!

We wish you health!

We are very pleased with you, thank you!

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Then a picture was taken as a souvenir.

It was noted that the project on the reconstruction of the water supply and sewage systems of Agstafa has started in December 2010 on the basis of a relevant order of President Ilham Aliyev. The project covers the city of Agstafa, the settlement of Khatai, the villages of Gachag Karam, Yenigun, Ashagi Kasaman and Ashagi Goyjali. Its implementation will address water needs of 18,000 urban and 22,000 rural residents, which makes it possible to expand the system into additional locations. Laboratory analyses have revealed that the water quality at this stage is fully consistent with both international and local standards.

President Ilham Aliyev reviewed a layout of the wastewater treatment installation of Agstafa.

Then the President launched the installation feeding water to Agstafa.

In conclusion, a photo was taken as a souvenir.