Ilham Aliyev attended the opening of the Heydar Aliyev Center in Salyan

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has attended the opening of the Heydar Aliyev Center in Salyan.

Greeting representatives of the district public, President Ilham Aliyev said:

- I am very glad to be in Salyan again. I have repeatedly visited Salyan District in recent years. This is my seventh visit as President. I am glad that things are going well in Salyan, the city is improving and becoming prettier, there is landscaping in all the streets, buildings are renovated, and beautiful homesbuilt. Today we are celebrating the opening of the Heydar Aliyev Center. This is a beautiful and majestic building. Of course, the establishment of such centers, above all, is a sign of respect for the memory of our great leader. At the same time, these centers will host various events and clubs. So these centers will operate for the benefit our citizens.

This year we celebrated the 90th birthday anniversary of the great leader and the 20thanniversary of the Day of National Salvation. Looking back at this glorious history again, we see that great leader Heydar Aliyev has made an enormous contribution to the formation of the Republic of Azerbaijan. It is thanks to his activity that Azerbaijan is developing today.

Azerbaijan is a stable and developing nation. We are going along the path laid down by the great leader, and it is a path of development and progress. Over the past 10 years we have made great achievements along this way. We see this in the example of Salyan District. In recent years, Salyan has covered a long road of development. As I have noted, there is landscaping, buildings are constructed and streets improved. At the same time, infrastructure projects are implemented.

Work on gasification is progressing well –about60-70 percent of the district has gas supply. But, of course, the task is to gasify all the villages of Salyan by 100 percent. There are opportunities to do thatand we will do so in the near future.

There are plans to implementprojects of drinking water and sanitation. If all goes according to program, this problem will be resolvedby the end of next year. I know that this is a very serious problem bothering citizens. Drinking water is supplied intermittently and on schedule. As you know, major projects are implemented in all regions of the country, including SalyanDistrict. As I said, the issue will be fully resolved by the end of next year,and high-quality drinking water will be supplied around the clock.

According to the latest information, there are several issues of concern for the people. We will resolve them as well.

There is an issue of construction of a bridge over the Kura River. And, of course, it must be resolved. In recent years, more than 150 bridges have been constructed in Azerbaijan – bothin Baku and the regions. These bridges are built primarily for people’s comfort. Of course, the construction and upgradeof the transport infrastructure is a very important issue. The Baku-Salyan high way is now under construction. Part of it is ready. The remaining part will also be built, and the issue of a new four-lane road from Baku to Astara, to the border, will be completely resolved. The construction of a bridge, of course, is an issue of great importance. And it will be resolved.

Another issue is the construction of the Shirvan-Salyanhighway. This issue will also be resolved. I believe that both issues should be incorporated in the investment program for the next year. Funds will be allocated and these issues will be resolved.

At the same time, there are still schools that are in disrepair. Despite the fact that many schools have been repairedin recent years, there are schools that are in disrepairin every district, including here. These issues will also be addressed.

If something else needs to be done, please tell me and we will do that. This is the main reason for my trips to the districts. I get acquainted with the situation and see what else needs to be done to make people happier.

Residents: Thank you, thank you very much. Things are going very well thanks to you.

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Honorary art figure Yavar Jabrayilov said:

- Mr. President! You are treating the people of Salyan and indeed all of Azerbaijanwith great attention and care. On behalf of the intelligentsia and all the residents of Salyan, we thank you as someone who loves his motherland, Azerbaijan, with all his heart. We wish you continued success.

RESIDENTS: Welcome, dear Mr. President!

President Ilham Aliyev: Thank you. We will have many more meetings. More opening ceremonies are expected in Salyan. As mentioned here, we attended opening ceremonies of several facilities in previous years –the Olympic center, the renovated hospital and others. Today, we are gathered for the opening of an excellent center. We still have a lot to do although much has already been done. There is every opportunity to do this work. Azerbaijan has been the fastest growing country in the worldin recent years. We have all the opportunities, our budget is increasing and our investment program is quite large. Most importantly, we are aware of the problems and are resolving them consistently.

RESIDENTS: Thank you very much!

President Ilham Aliyev: The information I received before coming here contained the construction of this bridge, the reconstruction of the Shirvan-Salyan high way and the construction of schools. All of these issues will be reflected in the investment program for the next year. Thus, all of the existing problems will be eliminated.

RESIDENTS: Thank you, may Allah grant you good health!

President Ilham Aliyev: I heartily salute you again and wish you good health.

RESIDENTS: Thank you very much.

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Then a picture was taken as a souvenir.

President Ilham Aliyev cut the ribbon symbolizing the opening of the Center.

It was noted that the construction of the Center had begun in December 2011 and was completed in August of this year.

The construction was carried out using the internal resources of the district. The total area of the three-storey building of the Center, which consists of 10 rooms, is 626 square meters.

The President of Azerbaijan was familiarized with the Center.

On the first floor, there is an exhibition hall and offices. There is a bust of nationwide leader Heydar Aliyev in the lobby. There are also photo stands describing the visits of the great leader and President Ilham Aliyev to Salyan. A video dedicated to brilliant leader Heydar Aliyev is also demonstrated in the lobby.

The exhibition hall on the second floor covers an area of 457 square meters and displays photographs of the great leader depicting his childhood years, his study in Nakhchivan, work in the State Security Committee in Moscow, as well as publications about the outstanding statesman, copies of diplomas and commendations awarded to the nationwide leader.

On the third floor there is a dance studio, an art studio, an electronic library, a center of foreign languages, a chess club, computer rooms and a photo studio.

President Ilham Aliyev expressed his satisfaction with the work done at the Center and gave further instructions and recommendations.