Speech by Ilham Aliyev at the metting with public representatives of Tovuz region

Let me salute you all cordially. I have attended some remarkable opening ceremonies in Tovuz today. We have marked the commissioning of the Olympic center, opened a dairy factory and a very nice amusement park. And now we are opening a road that is part of a highly important infrastructure project for Tovuz.

You are well aware that this road represents tremendous importance and great value. It connects more than 40 villages which are home to over 20,000 people. Now there is a connection between villages and the distance between remote settlements and the district center has decreased. Roads mean comfort and development. This road will bring people comfort and, at the same time, create conditions for the development of districts. In the future, additional measures will be taken to promote tourism. In any case, where there is a road, there is development. Road construction in Azerbaijan is progressing at a rapid pace. The Baku-Georgian border road is almost ready. There is only a small section left of it to be completed, and that will be done before this summer. Thus, the 500-km road will be completely ready.

The roads leading in all other directions are also being refurbished, highways in the north-western direction and inter-city roads are under construction. In the coming years, our priority will be the construction of rural roads, and we expect to invest heavily in this area. At present, local roads are being built in all districts of the country. We will do wherever necessary – in the western zone, in the south, in the north, in central districts. These issues are also part of the investment program, and I am sure that we will bring the main country roads to good condition within a few years.

I will examine this road myself now. I am told that it is of good quality. I have no doubt about that, but I must see that myself.

In general, I am very pleased with the work being done in Tovuz District. As you know, I have repeatedly visited Tovuz and participated in various activities. For example, three years ago, we laid the foundation stone for a future Olympic Centre, and now there is a wonderful facility. The establishment of industrial enterprises, agricultural development, infrastructure projects, improvement and landscaping – you, the people of Tovuz, know this very well. Extensive improvement activities are underway in every district and region of our country, and that’s the way it should be. In 2004, when we adopted the State Program on Socioeconomic Development of Districts, our primary goal was to ensure the development of districts and villages of our country. I mentioned then and I want to reiterate today that if we resolve the problems of every village, all the problems in the country will be resolved. To do that, we have both the political will and financial resources, strategies and plans. We plan all our work, have drawn up and approved a special program on the development of every district. At certain stages such programs are amended because life goes on and brings about new questions which we must react to promptly.

Tovuz District has an enormous potential for agricultural development. I believe that the work done is certainly commendable, but in the future we need to do even more. Much more can be done in such sectors as livestock, viticulture and grain growing. Thus, Azerbaijan will ensure complete food security. We have taken major steps in this direction. Now we can provide ourselves with basic food items and are even exporting them. In the future, we must access the markets of other countries with finished and quality products. Today, we are exporting our non-oil products to neighboring countries, i.e. they are the main market for us. But in the future, we must access European markets more actively. To do that, our products must meet EU standards. We can already see that, many of our enterprises are already meeting these standards. Thus, Azerbaijan’s export potential will become more diverse, fetch more revenue and improve the standard of living. Our main goal is to provide our people the opportunity to live well and the economy to evolve. The work carried out in these two spheres has made the current realities possible.

Azerbaijan has passed all the ordeals with its head high, we have overcome the global economic downturn. There is progress in the economic sphere, in addressing social issues, wages, pensions and social benefits are rising, the exchange rate of the Manat is stable, new vacancies are opening. These are indicators of developed countries. I am very pleased that our economy is sustainable.

At the same time, we need to quickly resolve all the existing problems. All economic, social and public problems must be resolved as soon as possible. Our work must meet the level of the most developed countries. We must rise to their level. We have already approached it, while in many cases have approached it to the maximum extent possible. But still much remains to be done. The entire work in our country – the economy, social policy, all other issues – must be done at a modern level. People must live in peace, the principles of social justice must be embedded completely. It is necessary to eliminate all shortcomings, and we are doing that. We need to step up our work in this area. Earlier this year, I issued instructions to that effect. We must fight against bribery and corruption even more rigorously. There is legal framework for that, necessary instructions and orders have been issued. We must eliminate these negative facts in Azerbaijan. For that to happen, all of us, the authorities and citizens alike, have to be more assertive.

I want Azerbaijan to become a modern and developed state in the truest sense of the word, I want all the criteria in Azerbaijan to be at a high level. We have the opportunities to do that. I want to repeat that, first of all, there is political will, economic independence, political independence, there is a wonderful and talented people. I have no doubt that thanks to all these factors we will soon achieve even bigger successes.

This year we will celebrate the 20th anniversary of our independence. This is a long time, it marks the completion of a major stage. I am very pleased that Azerbaijan has not only secured its independence over the 20 years, but has also achieved great successes. Our independence and statehood are strengthening. Our political steps – both domestic and international – serve the interests of the Azerbaijani people. We speak openly from various platforms and express our position. On each subject and international event we have our own independent position which we are safeguarding. We are and will be defending our statehood, public and political system in Azerbaijan. This is our policy. This course has been chosen by the people of Azerbaijan. We will follow this course, and no-one can compel us to deviate from it. This is a course towards development and modernization. At the same time, all our work is based on national values and traditions. This is the main source of our strength. But we must look ahead. For the construction of a modern state, we must apply the best international practices relevant to our mentality.

The year 2011 is getting off to a good start. I wish all the residents of Tovuz further successes in 2011. I am sure we will have many more meetings because there will be many more opening ceremonies in Tovuz.