Opening speech by Ilham Aliyev at the annual general assembly of the National Academy of Sciences

Dear friends!

Dear ladies and gentlemen!

First and foremost, I would like to thank you for inviting me to the academy. The annual general assembly of the academy is being held today. I am sure that the assembly will be very successful and express valuable ideas for the future development of Azerbaijani science. Great refurbishment work has been carried out at the academy's main building. Wonderful work was carried out in a short period of time, and as far as I know, refurbishment work is also underway in other buildings of the academy. The conditions that have been created here meet the highest standards. In general, specific steps are being taken to strengthen the academy's material-technical base. This policy will continue. We should make sure that all the needs of the academy are met and its material-technical base is strengthened.

The Academy of Sciences of Azerbaijan has been operating since 1945. The academy has had a great and successful path since 1945. Our scientists made their valuable contribution to the development of Azerbaijan at various times. When Azerbaijan regained its independence, there were various opinions. You probably remember very well – proposals were put forward in 1992 to close the academy. If Heydar Aliyev had not returned to political power in Azerbaijan at the demand of the people in 1993, the fate of the academy could have been deplorable. It is as a result of Heydar Aliyev's constant attention to and care about Azerbaijani science that science developed very rapidly. When we started to live independently, serious economic and social issues topped the agenda in the country. But along with that, the great leader Heydar Aliyev thought about the future of Azerbaijan and wisely and farsightedly paid great attention to the development of science at all times, including in the period of independence. This was noted here, and it is no accident that after returning to power, he held his first meeting with the Azerbaijani public at the academy.

The intellectual elite of Azerbaijan are concentrated at the academy. The development of the academy has a direct impact on the development of science in Azerbaijan. If we take a look at the experience of developed countries, we will see that idea, thought, innovation and scientific-technical progress underlie the success of those countries. We prefer modernization while carrying out reforms in various fields in our country. It is impossible to establish a modern state without scientific development.

The policy of Heydar Aliyev is continuing in all spheres in Azerbaijan today and manifests itself in the state's attitude towards science. It is no accident that great attention is being paid to the issue of strengthening the material-technical base of the academy. At the same time, specific steps are being taken to expand the activities of the academy and combine scientific studies with the economy and our economic policy.

The National Strategy and State Programme on the Development of Science were adopted in 2009, and after that, the Fund for the Development of Science was set up. This fund not only helps to buy modern equipment, but also issues various grants so that we can stimulate scientific studies in Azerbaijan.

Azerbaijan is conducting a successful policy as an independent state. Our country is developing. This development manifests itself in all spheres. Of course, the development of science should keep abreast of the general development pace. It is necessary to create unity between science, higher education and economy in Azerbaijan. For us, the main issue connected with the development of science is to choose the right priorities. Specific proposals should be made so that we can carry out work based on these priorities.

At all times, our scientists have made their valuable contributions to the development of Azerbaijan in various spheres. In the current situation when our independence is developing and strengthening, there is a great need for the development of scientific potential.

I would like to say once again that Azerbaijani scientists have had their say in various spheres. Studies carried out at the global level in Azerbaijan have also had their positive effect. Our geologists have made an irreplaceable contribution to the discovery of our country's natural reserves. These natural reserves now strengthen the independence of our country and considerably increase our opportunities to conduct an independent policy. The oil that was discovered in the Caspian Sea for the first time in the world in the middle of the 20th century serves independent Azerbaijan today. As a result of Azerbaijan's successful oil strategy, we managed to fully ensure our energy security. We are making very effective use of natural reserves. We are making efforts to resolve issues of Europe's energy security. Today Azerbaijan is one of the most important partners in ensuring Europe's energy security.

Had our scientists not discovered large oil and gas deposits in the past and had it not been for these natural reserves of Azerbaijan, our independent life could have developed in another direction. I would like to say once again that this factor provides economic independence. Thus, political independence in Azerbaijan is also at the appropriate level. I believe that additional measures should be carried out in this sphere in the future. Our financial resources create such an opportunity today. We should make sure that Azerbaijan increases its role on the global energy market in the years and decades that lie ahead and that our national interests are fully met.

I believe that additional steps should be taken to research the Caspian Sea. Great work has been carried out in this sphere, but we still do not know the Caspian Sea as we want. Therefore, this issue should always be the focus of attention in the scientific sphere.

The challenges facing the Azerbaijani economy today should be directly connected with the development of science. We are currently working on the construction of a large petrochemical complex. The petrochemical sphere has great prospects. Given that our country has always had a strong scientific school in this sphere, this will increase our economic power and result in the creation of new jobs. I think that our scientists should carry out their work in this sphere today in cooperation with relevant government agencies. The Azerbaijani government has been given relevant instructions to involve Azerbaijani science in this sphere.

The tasks facing our country today have been determined on the basis of priorities. The task facing science should be solved in the same manner. I would like to say once again that energy security issues top the agenda. These issues have been resolved and we are currently carrying out a policy connected with the comprehensive development of our country. Our economy has taken very serious steps in connection with the development of the non-oil sector. Specific programmes are being implemented. These programmes are yielding results.

Over the last seven years, about one million new jobs have been created in Azerbaijan, and the overwhelming majority of them have been created in the non-oil sector. In general, the successful development of the Azerbaijani economy is a global phenomenon. Economic growth in our country has been at a high level in our country in recent years, and we take first place worldwide in this indicator. Along with that, the comprehensive development of the economy is valued by international financial organizations. All of Azerbaijan's international ratings are increasing. These indicators were at a high level even in the crisis years 2009-2010. Along with that, while determining our long-term development strategy we should definitely rely on a strong scientific base. We should rely on strong scientific bases while determining the future directions of our economic development. Correct predictions should be made here. We should deal with these issues not only in the process of implementing the five-year programme, but we should also look to the distant future – how will Azerbaijan develop after 20 or 30 years?! Strong potential should be created in Azerbaijan to ensure that our country's development is long-term, successful and sustainable. We are gradually reducing our dependence on the oil and gas factor. Certain work has already been carried out in this direction. In the future, we should create a multifaceted economy, relying on scientific foundations and establishing our model of sustainable development. Scientists should have their say here, of course. Along with the government, we should strengthen this cooperation with government agencies. Therefore, special attention should be paid to the work being implemented in this sphere.

We are currently seriously dealing with food security issues. As you know, there was a single economic complex in Soviet times. These issues were regulated by the Soviet government. In the period of independence, we face difficulties connected with food due to natural disasters in some cases and should solve our food security issues through domestic means. Work is being carried out in this direction.

Support for the development of entrepreneurship in Azerbaijan, the allocation of loans and the development of the private sector – all these issues aim to ensure our food security in full. I believe that in the next two or three years, we should provide ourselves with staple food products and at the same time, create strong export potential. Therefore, the development of agrarian sciences and their combination with economic development are of special importance. I believe that specific steps should be taken to establish an agrarian sector at the National Academy of Sciences. This sector should be created without wasting time and start working actively. Thus, if these issues are resolved, I believe that they will give a strong impetus to the development of Azerbaijani science because orders will be placed. Government agencies and the private sector should place orders. Our scientists will be working on the basis of these orders. If we take into account that the Azerbaijani state will continue to support the development of science, we will thus be able to secure the development of science.

A policy of modernization is being conducted in our country at the moment. This policy is manifesting itself in all spheres. Specifically, our steps related to scientific-technical progress are aimed at the future. Maybe we are putting forward initiatives that are not typical of a young independent country. A space industry is being created in Azerbaijan. I am sure that this process will continue rapidly. This is our state policy. I believe that after the first telecommunications satellite is put into orbit, this sphere will get an even greater impetus. A strong space industry will be created in Azerbaijan. Azerbaijani science should also give support to these initiatives. Of course, international relations should play their role here. Cooperation with the world's leading scientific centres should increase because, I think, our potential in this sphere does not meet our wishes yet. In general, cooperation with international scientific centres should be broader.

Our success in the information-communications sector is obvious. Great achievements were gained in this field in a short period of time. Azerbaijan is in the vanguard in the ICT sphere in the CIS today. But our duty does not end here. That's to say what we want is to ensure that Azerbaijan is in the vanguard in the development of ICT worldwide. State support and financial assistance are being given and in some cases, when negotiations with international financial organizations on the allocation of loans yield no result, the Azerbaijani state organizes its own financial possibilities. Now our possibilities are expanding, and it is necessary to pay special attention to the development of science and scientific progress, especially in the ICT sector, because the development of ICT pursues several goals. First of all, it will contribute to the development of Azerbaijan's intellectual potential and support the policy of modernization in the country. On the other hand, there are great economic possibilities in this sphere. The revenues of the ICT sector in the future will have a great effect on the development of the Azerbaijani economy. Therefore, I believe that the academy should take more serious steps in this sphere.

We are creating a military industrial complex. We created it almost in a short period of time. Today Azerbaijan manufactures 430 types of military products. The number of these products will increase even more in the future.

Along with that, our cooperation with well-known international companies is broadening, new technologies are being brought in and the products manufactured in Azerbaijan currently meet international standards. If we take into account that we should build up our military power and that the process of army building is rapidly continuing in Azerbaijan, there is a great need for that. We live in a state of war and the state is paying great attention to this issue and providing financial assistance. I believe that Azerbaijani scientists should have their say in this direction. Work with government agencies, especially the Ministry of Defence Industry, should be carried out at an even higher level. This work is under way. But it is a very promising sphere and should always be the focus of attention.

In a word, there are specific programmes on our economic and industrial development. Azerbaijani science should have its say in this sphere. Currently, large industrial parks and industrial potential are being created in Azerbaijan. Of course, these initiatives will yield wonderful results and as I noted, will have its effect on the reduction of the dependence of the country's economy on the oil factor. In this case, Azerbaijani science should also be in the vanguard here.

Issues related to humanities are, of course, always in the centre of attention, and the work carried out in this sphere is very successful and praiseworthy. We should always pay attention to this issue because, as you know, before our independence, we had national values, national traditions, mother language, literature and music, which maintained us as a nation. Therefore, the state is always paying attention to this sphere. I believe that the Academy of Sciences is engaged in very successful activities in this field. Simply, I should point out that this issue should always be in the centre of attention.

There should be constant respect for and care about our mother language. We should protect our mother language from foreign influence. Our mother language is our untouchable asset. Our mother language – the Azerbaijani language – has played an exceptional role in the formation of the Azerbaijani people and independent Azerbaijan. We should make sure that we totally maintain the purity of our language. Serious attention should be paid to this issue.

Studies on literature are continuing. There is a great scope for activity here because our literature has played a great role in the development of world literature. We can rightfully talk about this with a feeling of pride.

Archaeological excavations are supported and funded. It is a very important sphere. We know our past, we should study it more deeply and work in this sphere will continue. Archaeological excavations give us new knowledge and information. Thus, we and the world get a fuller idea of our history.

Issues related to historical sciences are also in the centre of attention. We are paying great attention to this issue. I am very pleased that our historians have created authoritative and substantial works. Specifically, the existence of the Armenian-Azerbaijani Nagornyy Karabakh conflict dictates to us that we should pay even more attention to this field, because the Armenians constantly falsify and distort the history of this region. I am pleased that our scientists positively responded to my appeal and created wonderful works on the history of this region based on real facts in a short period of time. Most importantly, works on the history of the Iravan Khanate are of special importance, because unfortunately, the world community was almost unaware that the present-day Armenian state had been established on historical Azerbaijani lands.

With our initiatives, appeals to history and specific evidence, we have substantiated our position that Iravan was handed over to Armenia as its capital by the Azerbaijani state in 1918. Most of the population in the Iravan Khanate was Azerbaijani. The Zangazur region is an ancient Azerbaijani land and was artificially handed over to Armenia. The handover of the Zangazur region to Armenia was a great injustice. Part of our land was annexed to Armenia. This had a great negative impact. This divided the entire Turkic world. Today the Turkic world is geographically divided. However, we are trying, and will be trying, to take political steps and economic initiatives and hold summits of Turkic-speaking states – I should also highlight the activities of TURKSOY – in order to unite the entire Turkic world and political interests and engage in even more comprehensive economic cooperation. However, geographically the Turkic world is divided today. That's to say all these historical truths should see the light of day. This should be known not just inside the country, but also abroad. Therefore, the publication of these books in foreign languages is of special importance.

Most place names in the entire territory of present-day Armenia are of Azerbaijani origin – the names of cities and villages. This can even be seen in the Great Soviet Encyclopedia. At that time, the names of Armenian cities and their previous variants were written. We should know this. Today the Armenian state is making territorial claims against us. Our lands are under occupation. Nagornyy Karabakh is under occupation. Nagornyy Karabakh is an ancient Azerbaijani land. Armenian propaganda is working against us around the world. We should tell the truth that the city of Khankandi is not Stepanakert. It was named Stepanakert after the ringleader of a bandit group, Shaumyan. I have repeatedly said this – if that city had a historical name, the Armenians would have restored that name. It is our land. Scientific studies, scientific works and books are very important. I am very pleased that work is continuing in this sphere. We should increase and modernize our work in this sphere. Not only our scientists, but, I believe, our members of the public should also actively join these issues via the Internet. Given that the truth and historical justice are on our side, this is needed today and in the future.

I am saying again that initiatives on work in this sphere are being realized. It is a very positive thing. I believe that special attention should be paid to this issue. We should make even more active use of the scientific aspect of this issue and this factor in our propaganda.

I expressed some of my ideas about the development of our country and science today. I am sure that you, distinguished scientists, are well aware of this issue. Your proposals will be taken into account, of course. The initiatives that I mentioned - the establishment of the Fund for the Development of Science and the adoption of the Strategy and State Programme on the Development of Azerbaijani Science – were both put forward by scientists.

We should make sure that Azerbaijani science develops, lives and serves the Azerbaijani state and Azerbaijan's national interests as it always has.

I sincerely welcome you again. I thank you for your invitation. I wish you and all members of the academy new successes.

Goodbye.