Opening speech by President Ilham Aliyev at the conference dedicated to the results of the implementation of the State Programme on the socioeconomic development of the city of Baku and its villages

Today we will discuss the implementation of the state programme on the socioeconomic development of Baku and its settlements. This is the second programme. The first programme was adopted in 2006 and covered two years. This programme covers the period 2011-2013 and is ending.

Overall, in 2013, the dynamic development of Azerbaijan was secured. During the year, all tasks were implemented and the economy grew. If we compare globally, we can see that Azerbaijan's economy is growing at the fastest pace. This year the gross domestic product grew by almost 6 percent, and our non-oil sector – by about 10 percent.

This, in fact, is a manifestation of the work done and indicates that the main direction of our policy lies in economic reforms. With these reforms, we were able to achieve this success.

Our non-oil sector is growing, and it currently dominates the gross domestic product. I am convinced that in the coming years, these trends will intensify. But to achieve this, we need to work even harder, as the oil and gas sector is also expected to grow. In particular, the Shah Deniz-2 project signed in Baku on 17 December will serve to further develop the non-oil sector. So we need to pay more attention to the development of the non-oil sector. We'll do it. The reforms carried out in our country and well-thought out economic and social policies create opportunities for Azerbaijan to continue to develop successfully.

In general, this year completes a period spanning 2003-2013. This period was very successful for our country. I can say that over the past decade, from an economic point of view, the world has not seen a second country developing like Azerbaijan. This is proved by all statistical data. Our economy has grown by more than 300 percent – by 3.4 times. The number of people living in poverty has dramatically fallen. Currently, the level of poverty in Azerbaijan is slightly more than 5 percent. That is to say it is at the level of developed countries. We are even ahead of some developed countries. Issues related to unemployment are being resolved. Unemployment is at a very low level - at the level of 5 percent. And in the city of Baku, in my opinion, this question has completely found its solution.

Our economic reforms are also commended by the leading economic and financial organizations of the world. The world’s number one economic organization - the Davos World Economic Forum – has put the Azerbaijani economy on 39th place in competitiveness. That is to say in the heart of all this lies a sound policy and reforms initiated in Azerbaijan in the mid-1990s , the policy of the great leader Heydar Aliyev.

And in the last 10 years, thanks to active work we have been able to fully meet the political and economic interests of Azerbaijan. Today Azerbaijan is recognized in the international community as a country enjoying great respect. This year we are completing our activity in the UN Security Council. I believe that this is a great result and a historic victory for our nation and state. The election to the UN Security Council - the number one entity of the global community - is a historic victory for our country.

That is to say if you look at any industry, you can be sure that the successful development of Azerbaijan is ensured. The economic crises experienced in the world and Europe, and in some cases - political infighting have not affected and will not be able to affect us, because the foundation of our policy is national interests. The unity of the people and the government is one of the factors contributing to our development. We are going our own way. This is the path of development, democracy and national accord.

The comprehensive development of our country, including its successful experience in the humanitarian sphere - in the sphere of interethnic, interreligious dialogue - is studied worldwide today. It is no coincidence that the city of Baku has become one of the centres of the region, and I can even say, of the world. High-level events in Baku have already become commonplace. Summits, meetings of world leaders, economic forums and humanitarian forums - all this is the reality, and Baku has been able to take its rightful place on the world map.

We have specific programmes for the coming years. We will continue to work on these programmes. I have no doubt that the sustainable development of our country will be ensured. That is to say the work done - some of it will be mentioned in today's speeches - can be clearly seen on the stands displayed in the lobby. These stands concern only the city of Baku. In general, the positive developments taking place in the country, I am sure, will continue.

In 2004, when the first state programme on the socioeconomic development of regions was adopted, we set ourselves a few goals. First of all, such goals as regional development, creation of jobs in the regions, the achievement of local business development, reduction of dependence on imports and creation of infrastructure projects were set so that people do not migrate from the regions to the major cities. Ultimately, a task was set that it is necessary to reduce the difference between the regions and Baku. Over the past 10 years - two regional programmes have already been implemented - we managed to achieve this.

However, the dynamic development of Baku, of course, does not eliminate this difference, which is natural, because Baku is one of the most beautiful cities in the world today. Each guest visiting Baku says it and cannot hide his surprise. During numerous contacts, in my meetings with foreign guests, we can say, the vast majority of them note that they did not expect that Baku is so beautiful. Baku is a beautiful city, and there is great nature and a lovely atmosphere here.

The beauty of Baku lies not only in buildings. Its beauty lies in the historical atmosphere that is present in our city. There are beautiful cities, where there are many beautiful buildings. But this does not define the beauty of a city. Baku has a distinctive, specific aura and a historical character. I am glad that in recent years we have managed to preserve the historical appearance of Baku. At the same time, it was necessary to ensure the development of Baku like any city. I think that we conducted a very correct policy here, preserving history and restoring monuments on the one hand and creating a modern infrastructure and erecting new buildings on the other, so modern and ancient history here in Baku do not contradict each other, but on the contrary, complement each other.

Baku has several centres. This picture cannot be seen in every city. Icharishahar, Freedom Square, Azneft Square are the historical centre. Currently, Flag Square has become a centre, the Boulevard, its renovated version and the New Boulevard, White City Boulevard, Heydar Aliyev Centre, central park - see how many public facilities have been landscaped and established in Baku in recent years. We will continue our policy in this direction. We'll discuss this later.

That is to say the adoption of the regional development programme, investment in the country’s economy and the conditions created for foreign investment provided our dynamic development. If you noticed, lately we have not held extended meetings related to the development of the oil and gas sector because everything is in its place in this field.

The oil strategy of Azerbaijan was mapped out in the 1990s. We execute this strategy. Of course, over the past 10 years historic achievements have been gained in the development of the oil and gas sector and in ensuring our interests. The Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline, the Baku-Tbilisi-Erzurum gas pipeline, the implementation of the Shah Deniz project and the start of the Shah Deniz-2 project will be a great achievement for our people and for the future and secure the independent development of our country.

We have been living as an independent country for 22 years. We have been able to prove to the world and ourselves that we can not only live, but also develop as an independent country, and develop at the highest pace on the global scale. This is our greatest achievement, success and the victory of our people. We must do everything possible to continue to develop Azerbaijan only in ascending order.

To achieve this goal, we all, of course, must work. I can say that there is a great mood in society too. Society voted for our policy. Without this support we would not have achieved such success. Therefore, as a result of the execution of specific programmes related to the upcoming years, Azerbaijan must become a developed country. The development of the non-oil sector should continue. High-tech development will be provided.

Azerbaijan is already a space state. Who could have imagined that a few years ago? Who could have imagined that Azerbaijan will join the small number of members of the space club! That is to say it is possible. Where will, a well-thought out policy and public interests take first place, this success can be achieved.

Therefore, our experience in the years of independence, the current financial situation, the prevailing stability and the socio-political order allow us to successfully develop our country and confidently govern it. Despite the crises experienced globally and regionally, we are going our own way. No one can turn us from this path. Our path is a path of independence and development. I am confident that we will achieve new victories on this path.

The state programme on the socioeconomic development of Baku and in particular, its settlements is also of great importance, because it was planned to implement a whole series of infrastructure projects in Baku. In particular, a lot of work was planned in the villages. The main importance of this programme was to create the most modern conditions in each district of Baku. The city of Baku consists not only of the centre. Development should take place, and is taking place, in places distant from the centre of Baku. Here, the stands presented in the foyer provide information on the work done over the past two years.

The second state programme on the socioeconomic development of Baku and its settlements was short-term. It covered only two and a half years. I knew it was a very short time. It is impossible to resolve all issues in two and a half years. But the goal was set: to achieve a solution to all problems of Baku as soon as possible.

After the adoption of the programme, its execution started. The state budget, of course, reflects the development of Baku city and its settlements. A great deal of work was done and an infrastructure project was implemented in a short time. Today in Baku, we can say there are no problems connected with electricity. There are no problems with collection. At one time, one of the biggest problems was linked with non-payment. State entities could not repay debts to each other. Thus, there was a very unhealthy situation. It's all in the past now.

We can say the problem connected with gasification has been resolved. Baku is almost one hundred percent gasified. Places that have no gas will be supplied with gas. Large-scale work has begun to implement water and sewer projects. This work will continue. We'll talk about it.

The issue of restoring the heating system in Baku was acute, as the equipment installed in the Soviet era was out of order. After that, citizens in some cases cut off and removed the radiators. This is why it is still difficult to restore heating in some places. Despite this, work in this field is continuing.

The roads of Baku are being restored and repaired, and new roads are being laid. Public areas are being created. Comprehensive measures related to settlements are being implemented. We are aware of the problems of settlements. I often visit Baku settlements. We deeply study the problems, and over the last two years some of them, I can say a significant number of them, have been resolved. We will resolve the rest of them in the coming years. The building of inter-village roads is rapidly progressing. These roads are not only between villages, they serve the whole city of Baku. New roads are being laid, restored and widened. That is to say citizens living in Baku are well aware of all this. Perhaps, there is no need to talk too much about it.

But we took a complex approach so that all questions in the villages are resolved. Schools, hospitals, roads, water, sewer, electricity, gas and jobs – attention is being paid to these issues too. If at the initial stage credits through the National Fund to Support Entrepreneurship were provided mostly to regions, now Baku settlements are also provided with large loans on favourable terms.

That is to say, I want to repeat, we have done a great job in this field. Much remains to be done. So today, at the end of the year, we are holding this conference connected with the completion of the programme on the development of Baku and its settlements. Now officials will take the floor here. We will hold an exchange of views about our future plans.