Speech by Ilham Aliyev at the opening of a new office building of the Anti-Corruption Department under the Prosecutor-General of the Republic of Azerbaijan

- It is a professional holiday of prosecutors tomorrow. On this occasion, I want to congratulate you and the entire staff of the Prosecutor's Office. Today, we are celebrating the opening of the Anti-Corruption Department under the Prosecutor-General.

I have just reviewed the building. There are excellent conditions for employees of the prosecutor’s office. The most modern equipment is available. In other words, there are all the opportunities for productive work. I am glad that such a beautiful building has been constructed in a short time. There are top-level conditions both for those working here and for those who will be coming here to raise their concerns. And this is the way it should be. I have repeatedly expressed my thoughts on the fight against corruption. And today I want to say that all of the work in this area should be carried out at the highest level in Azerbaijan.

Azerbaijan has managed to protect itself from external risks. The events, standoffs and confrontation occurring in the world and the region are not having any impact on Azerbaijan because the stability, calm and unity between our people and government insure us against these risks. At the same time, Azerbaijan was not affected by the negative processes in the economic sphere taking place in the world. The world has been dominated by a financial and economic recession for more than five years. But the people of Azerbaijan do not feel it. On the contrary, salaries and pensions are being raised, new jobs are opening and investment is increasing in Azerbaijan. In other words, we have been able to protect ourselves from the economic hardships occurring in the world. Of course, we must and we will protect our society and state from corruption.

The fight against corruption is a priority issue today. This fight is producing good results and success. The Anti-Corruption Department is worthy of commendation. I am confident that even greater success will be achieved in this area in the coming years. This problem should be completely eradicated. It should not exist in Azerbaijan.

It is also true corruption exists in every country and in every society. But the big question is the level and scope of its coverage. We must constantly narrow the field for corruption. We are using and will use a variety of methods here. In the first place, punitive measures should be even stricter. Every citizen must know that their acts of corruption will not go unpunished. A special role is played by administrative tools. Preventive measures, enlightenment and, at the same time, system reforms carried out in this area in our country also play a role. Among them I want to emphasize the "electronic government" system. I would like to note the activities of “ASAN xidmət”. In a short time, more than 500,000 Azerbaijani citizens have addressed “ASAN xidmət”. This service has been in operation for less than a year. In fact, it covers only Baku, Sumgayit and the Absheron Peninsula. But people are addressing it. Why? Because there is no corruption and people are provided with good services there.

We need to make our entire system transparent. The process of ensuring greater transparency of the financial and economic sector is well under way. According to the transparency index, Azerbaijan is among world leaders. Under such circumstances, given the successful development and excellent prospects for our country, we should be at the forefront and among world leaders in the fight against corruption as well.

I am delighted that the work done in this area in recent years is yielding results. International organizations also appreciate the activities of Azerbaijan in this field. Every year, the rating of corruption in Azerbaijan, so to speak, is improving. Our ties with international organizations are strengthening. According to my information, there are close links with the International Anti-Corruption Academy and other international organizations. We must fully apply the experience of developed countries in this field.

Of course, Azerbaijan has its own history and its own characteristics. We are using and will continue to use only the most positive experience that exists in the world. I believe that developed countries have achieved truly great strides in the fight against corruption. We need to apply this experience to Azerbaijan. I want to say again that a crucial role in this should be played by a combination of several factors and consistency between them. There must be a strong political will, and it is there.

I have repeatedly expressed my thoughts on the fight against corruption and repeatedly asked citizens to address relevant authorities with their complaints and proposals. So a strong political will is there. There are also positive changes in society for the fight against corruption. Public confidence is growing. There is growing confidence that we will completely eradicate this evil in Azerbaijan and that Azerbaijani society will recover from this plague. Corruption is a plague, a disease that undermines any society from within. Using all the opportunities available, we must strive to ensure that there is no corruption in Azerbaijan and that social justice is fully ensured. After all, corruption is a factor that undermines social justice.

Strong political commitment, professionalism, honesty and integrity of prosecutors, the existing atmosphere of fight against serious corruption – these factors, I am sure, will help us achieve our goals. Azerbaijan should be at the forefront of the fight against corruption. I am sure that this will be the case. In the coming years, I want to say again, we should apply the experience of developed countries to Azerbaijan, not just to study it, as we have already studied it, but to apply it to each area. Transparency, honesty and integrity must become a way of life. I am sure that this will be the case.

You are young prosecutors. I am sure that you will be guided by all these principles in your work and faithfully serve the state. Once again, I congratulate all employees of the prosecutor’s office on the upcoming professional holiday.