Speech by Ilham Aliyev at the presentation ceremony of the war banner of Civil Defense Troops of the Ministry of Emergency Situations

Dear soldiers, officers and generals!

Let me sincerely congratulate you on receiving the military banner and wish you further successes in your service. 

It has been five years since the Ministry of Emergency Situations was established. Over this period, all of the ministry’s structures have formed and are now meeting modern standards. The establishment of the Ministry of Emergency Situations was a momentous event for our country. Life has demonstrated that there was a strong need for establishing the ministry.

Over the last five years the ministry’s material and technical infrastructure has been established, state-of-the-art technical facilities and equipment acquired. The process of formation of all divisions of the ministry has been practically completed and its current activities are fully in line with the highest standards. Over this period the ministry personnel have demonstrated their professionalism both in and outside Azerbaijan. Employees of the ministry have duly represented Azerbaijan in eliminating the consequences of calamities in different countries and have been successful in fighting calamities in countries that are our friends. The activity of the ministry is very much appreciated in other countries as well.

Thanks to the technical facilities acquired over this period, employees of the ministry have demonstrated their professionalism in preventing accidents and eliminating the consequences of natural disasters in the country. Last year Azerbaijan saw unprecedented floods and mudslides. A certain part of the country’s territory, i.e. tens of thousands of hectares, was flooded, while thousands of houses were destroyed.

Employees of the Ministry of Emergency Situations worked in close cooperation with other state bodies to move people to safety. Thanks to their activities this major calamity passed off without any casualties in Azerbaijan. This is a great success, a major achievement. People’s health and safety is, as ever, our top priority. Afterwards, construction work was carried out in the areas affected by floods and mudslides. Thousands of new homes were built over several months, and our countrymen affected by the calamity are moving into them. On the one hand, this shows that all of the ministry’s structures have formed and are capable of fulfilling any task. On the other, this shows that Azerbaijan is a strong state. We have eliminated the consequences of this major calamity and created good conditions for people. If the Ministry of Emergency Situations had not been established, such calamities could have cost us dearly.

All structures and government agencies in Azerbaijan must meet modern requirements. Our country is developing and modernizing. Today, Azerbaijan has managed to take a rightful place in the world. The processes within the country are developing in a positive direction. In recent years our country has covered a long and glorious road. Very important steps have been taken to strengthen our independence, great successes have been achieved. We are implementing a successful and long-term development strategy of our country. The country is being renewed and landscaped, and is becoming prettier.

Of course, these realities are possible today thanks to the work done in the area of professional training. Azerbaijan is carrying out sound economic and social policies, training professionals in all specialties. We must ensure that all government agencies and ministries in Azerbaijan meet modern requirements. Azerbaijan is and will be importing the most cutting-edge technologies. We can see this in the example of the Ministry for Emergency Situations. The most sophisticated technical facilities, aircraft for fighting fires, helicopters and most advanced machinery are being acquired so that we could reach the desired level in strengthening our material and technical infrastructure. Along with this, continued professional training is of tremendous importance, and great progress has been made in this sphere.

Under such circumstances, our aspiration to meet modern requirements is not limited to achieving a goal. The meaning and essence of this is to ensure that all structures in Azerbaijan act promptly, with flexibility and professionalism, meet modern standards, and our country continues its successful development.

Excellent prospects are opening up before us. The public and political stability in Azerbaijan is durable and securely protected. Economic and political reforms are under way in the country. There is a process of modernization in all spheres of life in Azerbaijan. We must reach the level of the most advanced and developed countries of the world, such a goal has been set. To do this, economic and political reforms and structural transformation are and will be carried out. All structures in Azerbaijan must meet high standards.