Speech by Ilham Aliyev at the opening of a sports center military camp of the Special State Protection Service

- Good morning.

I have reviewed the reconstruction and construction work carried out in the military camp of the Special State Protection Service. The work is carried out at a very high level. Office buildings are built and renovated. A beautiful sports center has been built and it is possible to conduct any competitions here. Of course, there are all the opportunities for physical training of service personnel. Physical training, which is an essential part of the training of Special State Protection Service employees, must also be at a high level. Here you can practice all kinds of sports. I am sure that your personnel will effectively use these opportunities and this sports center, built with high quality and with good taste, will operate successfully for many years.

Of course, there are all the opportunities for specialized training of service personnel here. In previous years I attended the opening ceremonies of various service facilities associated with both specialized training and other facilities. So the material and technical infrastructure of the Special State Protection Service is strong enough today. Several years ago a hospital and a training base were opened here. There are favorable opportunities for specialized and physical training, and for security measures here.

The latest technologies are used today. Of course, we are using these technologies to strengthen the material and technical infrastructure of the service and expand surveillance capabilities. The availability of technical equipment facilitates your work. But at the same time, operational work is always of great importance. The operational side of your work is also at a high level. The service has broad functions. Issues related to the protection of state bodies and public facilities are of great importance. Today, the successful development of our independent state requires high-level implementation of security measures.

Public and political order is securely protected in Azerbaijan. There is stability and our people live in an atmosphere of security. Of course, to ensure a successful future development, security measures should always be in the spotlight. I appreciate the work of the Special State Protection Service in this area.

Security in Azerbaijan is provided at a high level. At the same time, your responsibilities also include the security of numerous high-ranking delegations visiting Azerbaijan. If we consider that Azerbaijan and Baku have become political and economic centers today, the number of activities carried out here is extremely high. The security of all representative events is addressed at a high level. You provide for the security of foreign heads of state and government arriving in Azerbaijan. Summits and other international forums are regularly held in Azerbaijan. Of course, the security of these activities is also your direct responsibility. We can say that representative events are held in Azerbaijan every month, perhaps even several times a month. Service employees own a special role in conducting these activities at a high level.

At the same time, you own special merits in the energy sector, which provides for the economic independence of our country. The protection of export pipelines has also been entrusted to you. For many years you have been dealing with the protection of the strategic energy infrastructure, and there have been no adverse events in this sphere over the years. The operation of the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan, Baku-Tbilisi-Erzurum and other pipelines is provided on the territory of Azerbaijan at the highest level. There has not been a single unlawful interference. Other countries have seen numerous cases of intervention, illegal acts and theft of oil from these pipelines. This, above all, shows that the population of Azerbaijan treats this issue properly. At the same time, the security system is organized at the proper level. Surveillance by electronic means, as well as visual observation, is provided at a high level. Thus, our main export pipelines, which represent strategic importance for the country's economy, are protected by the service at a high level.

Of course, as President I have always given my support for the successful activities of the service. I have accepted practically all the proposals from the service management. I have issued all the necessary instructions to improve the material and technical infrastructure and address housing problems of service employees. The opening of this sports center today completes all the work planned in this area: a hospital, a training center, a sports center, a situation center and provision of modern equipment – the entire work is done at a high level.

In recent years we have met several times at various events. I want to say again that I think quite highly of the work of the service. The Special State Protection Service plays an important part in the successful development of our country. All measures relating to security are provided at a high level in Azerbaijan. I am sure that this will be continued because the region in which we live requires special attention from all of us, of course. The negative processes taking place around Azerbaijan should certainly further mobilize us and encourage us to be more vigilant. We are ready for that. The successful development of Azerbaijan today is provided in part due to internal stability and security.

I wish you continued success in the new year. I want to note again that this center and the work carried out here in general are at a high level. And I congratulate you on this occasion.