SPEECH OF ILHAM ALIYEV AT MILLI MAJLIS

AzerTag, Azerbaijan
Oct 2 2006

Esteemed members of the Milli Majlis!

Ladies and gentlemen!

Esteemed guests!

Today is very wonderful and remarkable day; not only because the
Milli Majlis is beginning its work but also because the building of
the parliament has fully changed its appearance. Its both outward
appearance and interior design are meeting highest standards. Very
good conditions have been created here for parliamentarians. Major
repair work has been done for the short period of time. Today, it
is, of course, very comfortable to work in this beautiful hall, and
I am sure it will be very successful for our parliamentarians. The
improvement and construction works that are now underway in Azerbaijan
cover all areas: buildings are being reconstructed, and repaired, new
alleys are laid. We all want all the buildings repaired to meet high
standards. I am sure the activity of the Milli Majlis will contribute
to overall development of Azerbaijan, and improvement of the working
conditions, providing of the Milli Majlis’ building with up-to-day
equipment, will indeed increase the effectiveness of the work.

It has been already one year since the parliamentary elections,
and one can say, the new Milli Majlis is playing an important role
in development of Azerbaijan. New laws are passed, international
activities of the Milli Majlis are being improved, and meetings of the
parliament members with their voters are held in a regular manner. It
is very important because problems of voters are what must be solved
first and foremost. Much in this cause depends on the activities of
the Milli Majlis members. All that is being done serves one thing:
overall development of Azerbaijan, its conversion into a rich and
powerful state, modernization of the country and fully ensuring of
the principle of social justice.

You visit provinces very often, and meet voters and are familiar
with their concerns. We must work together to eliminate existing
shortcomings so not a single problem remains in Azerbaijan. It
is possible to do so. The existing socio-political situation in
Azerbaijan, confidence between power and people, successful activity of
the Milli Majlis are what defines our short- and long-term development
strategy.

The role of the parliament in the Azerbaijani society is growing,
it should be growing, and it is natural. It pleases me, as the
President, very much, because if the tasks set to the parliament
are solved, it will ensure overall development of our society. In
Azerbaijan, we are building a legal state. The rule of law must be
established. Azerbaijan should more rapidly integrate into the global
community, and serious reforms should be continued in all areas of
life. It is very gratifying that economic and political reforms in our
country are being implemented in parallel, and there are good results
of these reforms. There are tasks to be solved by the Milli Majlis,
and I am sure that your fruitful activities will play a significant
role in the all-round development and strengthening of our country.

I want to repeat that is has been a year since the parliamentary
elections. Over this year, Azerbaijan has managed to strengthen
its positions. Over the year, all the processes taking place in
our country have been positive be it foreign and domestic policy or
economic development.

Successful conduct of the parliamentary elections, the triumph of the
Azerbaijani people’s will, of course, opens new opportunities, new
horizons for our country. Parliamentary elections mark the beginning
of a new era. There were a few such periods in Azerbaijan’s history.

We remember well the years 1991-1993. That period remained in memory as
that of defeat. That period brought great difficulties to Azerbaijan,
our country faced great problems, and unfortunately, part of those
problems has remained topical until now.

Between 1993 and 2003, Azerbaijan experienced the period of stability
and development. Under the leadership of President Heydar Aliyev,
Azerbaijan managed to get out of the crisis with success, and occupy
a worthy place in the international community. Good conditions were
created to conduct reforms within the country. The overall situation
stabilized. If to take into account that our independence was
questioned in 1993, it has been considerably strengthened ever since.

Now, a new period begins. This period will define future development
prospects of Azerbaijan, and our long-term development depends
on how successful this period will be. Successful conduct of the
parliamentary elections and post-election strengthening of our country,
of creates new opportunities for our country. We try to build our
activities relating both foreign and domestic policy in the form of a
program. All the issues of concern are in the focus of attentions. The
program of regional development is being realized successfully. You
often visit regions, and probably can see our provinces changing
for the better. New houses, schools, hospitals, sport complexes,
are being constructed, and businesses are being developed. Migration
from provinces to the city is reducing, and I believe the time will
come when it will stop, and maybe migration from urban to rural area
will begin.

Our economic potential is growing. Both macroeconomic indicators
and daily life of our people prove it. For ordinary people, the
macroeconomic indicators are, maybe, not so important.

However, unless our economy grow 30%, it, of course, will be very
difficult to solve all the existing problems. Our budget is growing.

The Azerbaijan’s state budget has grown for the short period of time.

Some say it has happened due to oil. But you, members of the Milli
Majlis are well aware of this.

Of course, oil factor is very important for the economy of
Azerbaijan. However, non-oil sector also develops rapidly in
Azerbaijan. Now, we should focus our attention on this sector. We
must direct oil revenues to the non-oil sector, convert them into
human capital assets, spend them to settle the humanitarian issues
in order to ensure overall development of Azerbaijan, eliminate or
reduce oil dependency in the future. Budget increase allows settling
all the problems including economic ones facing the country. The 2007
draft budget is likely to be sent very soon the Milli Majlis. After
the budget is approved, it will be possible to do great work in 2007.

The major infrastructure projects in Azerbaijan are to be completed
in 2007-2008. Construction of electric stations, roads, gas and water
pipelines, schools, and hospitals must be completed in 2007-2008.

Thus, all the existing problems should be solved between 2003 and
2008. Our policy in this sphere is very open and clear. I am eager as
the President to achieve all these goals shortly. There are all the
possibilities to do it. I say once again that our economic potential
allows us to do it, of course, the positive socio-political environment
allows to do it as well. Strengthening of Azerbaijan’s international
positions results in cutting existing risks inside and outside the
country. It is one of the major directions of our policy.

We must protect our country, reduce risks and create the "space"
for cooperation in and around Azerbaijan. Only in this case, our
country can develop rapidly, and we can achieve what we want.

Legal state building should be continued in Azerbaijan now and
in the future. The process of democratization should be realized
more intensively. A wonderful future awaits us. Being successfully
implemented, oil strategy of Azerbaijan initiated by great leader
Heydar Aliyev brings fruits. Construction of the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan
oil pipeline is the historic achievement. The construction of this
pipeline will define a long-term economic strategy of Azerbaijan. In
this case, implementation of political reforms must be highlighted as
quite powerful economic potential, influx of money into our country
will, of course, strengthen it economically.

On the other hand, the influx of foreign currency needs to be
seriously controlled by the state, government, Milli Majlis and the
public. Realization of the scheduled programs can face disadvantages
without a serious public control.

Therefore, creation and strengthening of the civil society,
strengthening of democratization process, building of legal state is
not just a slogan or intention, it is the main condition for all-round
development of Azerbaijan. Our experience shows that the way that
Azerbaijan has chosen is the right way. Parallel implementation
of economic, political and social reforms develops Azerbaijan
comprehensively, strengthens the stability, which is so necessary
for our country, and has a positive impact on the socio-political
situation as well. Therefore, continuation of political and economic
reforms is the imperatives of our era. If we really want to create
modern and strong state, we should do this.

Great challenges face our state in this cause and, at the same time,
great responsibility lies with Milli Majlis as well. We must achieve
it together.

I think, major political, economic and social problems facing
Azerbaijan will be solved until 2008, since I want to say once more
that we do our job on the basis of concrete programs. I already
said that the program of socio-economic development of regions would
be instrumental in increasing the living standards in the regions,
creating new enterprises, opening new jobs. As you know, about 450
thousand jobs have been created to date.

Macroeconomic stability and this direction of our economic policy
will foster prevention of negative factors in our country. You
know that very good economic opportunities suddenly emerge in one
or another country, therefore, increasing the risks, including the
risk of inflation. Therefore, we should build our macroeconomic
policy in such a way as to have all the tasks facing the country be
solved without undermining macroeconomic stability. It is extremely
serious issue. Perhaps, we face this kind of problems for the first
time in the modern history of Azerbaijan, as we had to search for new
financial sources in previous years, strengthen financial discipline,
find extra source of revenue. But today, due to implementation of
our oil strategy, Azerbaijan will face the influx of a great amount
of foreign currency resources, which could have a negative impact on
the macroeconomic stability. It is vitally important question.

Implementation of the infrastructure projects became systematic. We
need to wrap up all the infrastructure projects until 2008, and
therefore, we have a great work to do. During many years, financial
squeezes did not allow us to earmark sufficient amount of funds
to this sphere. In these and subsequent years, much money should
be directed here. As to construction of schools, 600 schools have
been built for the past two years, very modern ones. Construction of
hospitals and social infrastructure objects. Ecological program has
been adopted; we will become the richest country. If the ecological
situation will not meet the standards, our citizens will face great
difficulties, and their health can be damaged badly. In other words,
major problems in all these spheres must be solved until 2008 with
Azerbaijan strengthening its positions even more.

Our policy on the international arena is successful. This shows that
our activity on the international organizations, at the same time, our
bilateral ties with numerous countries correspond to the interests of
Azerbaijani people. It is, first, the interests of Azerbaijani people
and state. We fully protect these interests. Our bilateral relations
strengthen our country. Azerbaijan’s role rises on the international
and regional organizations. Azerbaijan has the leading position in the
ongoing regional processes, and in many cases, we are the initiator
and participant of the important projects in region. None of regional
project is possible without consent and participation of Azerbaijan.

Of course, international positions of our country strengthen. We have
very efficient cooperation with the international organizations.

Azerbaijan has hosted several authoritative actions. We take active
part in the international organizations the member of which Azerbaijan
is. Simultaneously, Azerbaijan contributes to those organizations. And
gradually turns to important country, and this is a reality. The
present Azerbaijan differs from that of decade earlier. Representatives
of the world organizations also confirm it.

We have to use these opportunities to provide extremely the interests
of Azerbaijani people. We are open to all countries for cooperation,
and our foreign policy is sincere, accurate. All the statements we make
are realized. We have not made a single step for current situation,
or for short-term achievement. We behave ourselves deservedly.

At the same time, we are open for cooperation as well, and this
is reality. Azerbaijan is a respected and esteemed country on the
international arena and in the whole among the political community.

Importance of Azerbaijan rises. The reason is not only the oil-gas
projects, and even not the geographical position. Azerbaijan had
always oil and gas. Encountered with many obstacles, it required
great courage and great wisdom to develop these deposits, involve
the foreign investors, and transport it to world markets. I reiterate
all these were initiated by President Heydar Aliyev.

Azerbaijan’s geographic position is not merely of great significance,
if there was not the thought-over policy, the efforts to make
Azerbaijan a regional center. There are many countries in world with
better geographic position.

Regretfully, Azerbaijan has no direct way out to the world markets.

All our transport and energy projects are realized through pipelines
and transit. Despite of this, creation of strong transport
infrastructure in Azerbaijan raises our importance. We are the
initiator of several international projects. The Baku-Tbilisi-Kars
railway construction of which is to be launched soon will create a
new situation in the country. Azerbaijan becomes an only country to
connect Europe and Asia via the railway. This, of course raises our
importance in regional affairs.

We establish business links with the European Union. Our positions
are strengthening in the Islamic world, too. This cooperation is very
important for us. Azerbaijan has an undeniable role in regional and
other organizations. That is, one of this does not exclude the other.

They complete each other. Such policy of Azerbaijan is significant for
region. None is interested in tension in region. Nobody is interested
the existence problems in region led to any bitter conclusion. We
pursue our policy reservedly. We have a goal, are going towards this
goal and we shall do everything to reach it.

In a word, if to view at the prospects, Azerbaijan has no such a
serious problem. Personally, I do not see such one. It is because
we shall achieve the accomplishments in several years. In any case,
we have reason to state this for we have programs for each direction.

The only problem of Azerbaijan is the Armenia-Azerbaijan, Nagorno
Karabakh conflict, settlement of which does not depend only on us.

This is an only question that does not depend only on us. Moreover,
we do our best and Azerbaijan’s diplomatic efforts are made to resolve
this problem. Our position remains unchanged. I have also stated that
Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity should be restored.

This is the major condition. Beyond of this, there cannot be any
agreement, any contract. The aggressive forces should withdraw form
the occupied lands. The UN’s four Resolutions be executed and put
an end to aggression. The citizens of Azerbaijan, who suffered form
ethnic cleanse should return to their homelands. Strengthening of
safety measures in region is possible, and we support this and the
Armenians in Nagorno Karabakh should be given high status. This is
our position. This position bases on history – we know well that
we received the Armenians in our lands as guest. This position also
rests on political situation – the political situation is in our favor
and gradually Azerbaijan’s importance rises. If to weigh up Armenia
and Azerbaijan, we shall see which one is of greater importance,
what is their potential and what these countries will face in coming
years. That is, from the point of view of development of political
processes, our position is favorable.

There is no need to stress legal point of the problem. We all know
well that from the legal standpoint, the question should be resolved
on base of our position.

That is, if to take all the factors, and, at the same time, the
growing economic potential of Azerbaijan, we shall see there are
nice opportunities to resolve the question. We, simply, adhering
the negotiations, have to continue our policy and actions. And
this comprises strengthening of Azerbaijan. Our country, using all
economic, diplomatic and political opportunities, should strengthen
its positions and be further active against Armenia. We are attacking
in information field. We have to attack in economic aspect and this
has to be on agenda on all international organizations, in all forums,
and bilateral format. We should expose aggressive policy of Armenia
and we have enough proofs to do this.

We have to strengthen our military potential and you know that since
I have been elected as President I keep in focus this question. I
have said then that Azerbaijan’s military budget should equal to
overall budget of Armenia, and we, probably, shall, achieve this
next year. We have to continue these pressures. If the Armenian
side should not see these attacks and afraid of them, worry from
the growing opportunities of Azerbaijan, they hardly liberate the
occupied lands. Armenia ignoring international principles, to our
great regret, is not blamed by the international organizations. It
has numerous reasons. You know them well. But this is reality. We
have to know this reality and withstand our reality, the reality of
Azerbaijan. Azerbaijan is a country not to tolerate with occupation
of its lands. It is a country, using its economic, political and
military potential, will achieve what it wants.

I have told this once, and I reiterate that sometimes Azerbaijan’s
army building process causes concern in somebody. It should not cause
concern. It is our sovereign right. We have been tolerating this
aggression for many years. Our biggest compromise is our adherence
to peace negotiations. But using all these opportunities, we have to
create new situation. I would note once again that the strengthening of
military potential does not lead automatically to war. This is the last
version. We have to be ready for this. Very country should be ready,
including the country the territory of which was occupied and lives
in conditions of war. But, simultaneously, I am convinced that using
our political, economic, diplomatic and regional factors, we shall
be able to exert pressure on Armenia. These are already evident…

We have to be on the offensive constantly. We must be active in
all spheres, all organizations to achieve what we want. We must use
economic factors, and these opportunities will increase gradually.

The government received instructions to the effect. After Azerbaijan
gets 100 times richer than Armenia, perhaps, there will be no need in
the option of war. Therefore, we have to seize all the opportunities
to restore our rights. It is our privilege. Nagorno-Karabakh is the
historic land of Azerbaijan. We will never allow the second Armenian
state to be created in the Azerbaijani lands. The whole society should
be consolidated. This unity exists today. I am very glad that there
is no discrepancy in the Azerbaijani society on this matter. In some
cases, our opponents want to criticize us saying why Karabakh problem
has not been solved. It is not settled because Azerbaijan will never
agree with what dissatisfies us. It is not settled because despite the
pressure, as a President, I will never agree with any agreement, which
is disadvantageous for the Azerbaijan State and people of Azerbaijan.

I already said that this issue depends not only on our desire.

Therefore, we have to work and be active. I repeat that we have to
mobilize our efforts. There are no other serious problems for us except
this one. This problem is number one, and we, of course, must and will
focus our potential on its settlement; everyone should know it. We
exert every effort to find a fair solution to this issue; territorial
integrity of Azerbaijan will be restored. I have no doubt about it.

Along with this, we are going to continue cooperation with
international organizations for the settlement of the problem. Today,
Minsk Group co-chairs have arrived again in Baku. We do not intend
to give up Minsk Group format. At the same time, we believe that,
involvement of other organizations can also assist to solve the
problem. Indeed, the Armenian side tries to undermine talks under the
pretext of the fact that the matter has been referred to the UN. It
is their business, they can cancel the negotiations. If they need a
pretext, they can easily find it. Azerbaijan behaves constructively,
participates in the negotiations and hopes that they will result in
the resolution of problem.

Dear friends, I want to say once more that further development of
our country seems very clear and bright to me. What kind of country
will Azerbaijan be? Which positions will Azerbaijan have in five,
ten years? What economic potential will it have? Which level will the
lives of people reach? – These are the questions we are thinking of
as we work for the future of our country, for the overall development
of Azerbaijan.

We want our country became a modern, rich and powerful state. And the
people lived here well, were rich, and that its economy, political
image was strong, and that grew our opportunities of influence on
the processes in region. We want this. Each country, probably, has
similar wish. But to want and to do this are different things. We
have all opportunities to realize our wish.

I can tell that today we have opened unique opportunities. How
will be Azerbaijan tomorrow, in the years coming – it depends on
us. We have to make every effort to create powerful state, much more
strengthen our independence. We have to fully direct the potential
of Azerbaijan to improve the life of people, and thus, create in
the country a civic society. Free society, legal state, supremacy
of law, strong economy, powerful army, flexible foreign policy,
reliable defense and strengthening of the interests of Azerbaijan –
these are the major directions we are going. We have programs on
all directions. We have our views at them, we know what we want,
where we go, we know what results expect us. And finally, we shall
have powerful country, strong Azerbaijan, and the Azerbaijani people
will live much better. We have to fruitfully work to achieve all these.

In the re-constructed building of Milli Majlis, there are nice
opportunities for this. On the way to Milli Majlis in the morning,
I remembered the earlier situation, and, of course, you see the vast
difference. I even said: "I wish I had worked in such reconstructed
building, but, never mind, hitherto, we, probably, will meet
frequently. I wish you success. I want to reiterate that I am very
pleased that the members of Milli Majlis regard their duty with great
responsibility, permanently are in touch with their electors, actively
take part in adoption of progressive laws, in the socio-political
life of country. The role of Milli Majlis, thus, increases. Public
sees and acknowledges it. I also see it. I am also pleased and from
this platform, I wish you success in further activity. I would like
to express confidence that we shall and henceforth work together,
all-round develop out country. Thank you.