Speech by Ilham Aliyev at a meeting with the public of Imishli District

Dear friends, let me salute you all from the bottom of my heart. My congratulations on the opening of the Imishli Olympic Sports Center. I am sure that this wonderful sports facility will serve Imishli sportsmen well. There are great conditions here to do sports, and I can say that this is one of the most beautiful centers commissioned in the country. There are large gyms, outdoor areas, indoor gyms, a swimming pool and a small hotel here. At the same time, the center has a nice appearance. I am very glad that a wonderful Olympic Sports Center has been built in Imishli. I want to repeat that this is one of the most beautiful and functional centers built in Azerbaijan in recent years. It is the 31st. A total of 31 Olympic Sports Centers have been built in Azerbaijan in a short period of time, and this process is ongoing. At present, new centers are under construction in nine districts.

Thus, very major steps are being taken in Azerbaijan to develop sports and the Olympic movement. Our sportsmen, for their part, gratify us with their victories. They worthily represent Azerbaijan in international competitions, world and European championships, Olympic Games. It has also become a great tradition for Azerbaijan to host international competitions. Such international competitions are conducted not only in Baku but also in districts.

If our initiatives hadn’t been implemented in good time, there would be no conditions for hosting such events. Today there are favorable conditions both for organizing training of our sportsmen and hosting national and international competitions. The task has been set that wonderful and modern conditions for doing sports should be created in every district.

Our sportsmen are gratifying us. We have Olympic champions, champions of the world and Europe. But at the same time, we are conducting the policy of promoting sports. At centers like these children, teenagers and youth will be training, brushing up on their professional skills and be physically strong.

We need a physically and morally strong new generation. I am very glad that an increasing number of children, youngsters and teenagers join various sports clubs, train and become physically stronger. At the same time, we can see the result of engaging children, teenagers and youth in sports in the successes won in international competitions. In particular, we are boundlessly proud of the achievements of Azerbaijani youth in the first Youth Olympics. Youth Olympic Games have been held for the first time internationally. The Azerbaijan national team finished 11th in this competition. This is a great victory. It is also an indicator that Azerbaijan is a sporting nation in the literal sense of the word. It is also evidence that sports are organized very wisely here, that youth, teenagers and children are engaged in sports and worthily represent our country in international competitions.

We must ensure that Azerbaijani youth is physically healthy, morally strong, faithful to the state and statehood, and is raised in the spirit of patriotism. As you know, Azerbaijan is implementing a strong youth policy. A State Program on Azerbaijani youth will be adopted soon. It will reflect all the issues associated with youth. It will provide solutions to special issues relating to employment, a healthy lifestyle of our youngsters, creation of jobs, doing sports. Extra measures will be taken to facilitate the activities of young scientists. A youth fund will be set up. Youth centers will be built in Baku and districts. All this is part of our programs, and we must ensure that sports continue to develop rapidly in Azerbaijan. At the same time, Azerbaijan’s youth policy is and will be implemented at a high level.

I am very pleased that Azerbaijan has established itself in the international sports world as a sporting nation. When we see our sportsmen becoming champions, our flag being raised and anthem played, every citizen of Azerbaijan feels rightfully proud. This demonstrates the power of our country.

Our country is still quite young as an independent state. But it is developing dynamically. Specific programs and projects are being implemented in all directions, including the second part of the State Program on the development of districts.

This program covers all the districts. There is a plan of special activities for each district, and these plans are being carried out. A program on the socioeconomic development of Imishli District is being implemented as well. Work is ongoing in all directions here, a social infrastructure is being established. A wonderful Olympic center and schools are under construction and renovation. Major overhaul of a district hospital has begun. The hospital will be fitted with the latest equipment. A major gasification program will be implemented. All villages of Imishli District must be gasified before the end of next year. This task has been set forth, and I am sure it will be met. Relevant instructions have been issued regarding the issues of water management, drinking water, construction of sewage lines, and their implementation will begin shortly.

Other social initiatives are being put forward as well. A very specific and target-oriented program on the creation of jobs is being implemented as well. Today I have attended the opening of several enterprises in Imishli District. I have attended a foundation-laying ceremony for a new enterprise. The construction of a sugar plant here several years ago was perhaps one of the biggest investment projects in Azerbaijan’s non-oil sector. Major funds were invested and a plant meeting all contemporary requirements was built. New factories are now under construction around this plant. New initiatives associated with a modern processing industry are being put forward and implemented in Imishli.

Thousands of vacancies have been opened at these plants. As a result of the measures to be taken in the future, these plants will be expanded and their functionality will be increased. Thus, we will succeed in increasing domestic production, reducing our dependence on imports and creating new jobs. So this process is under way in Azerbaijan, over 900,000 jobs were created in the country in the last seven years, the vast majority of which are permanent. However, we are aware of all the problems associated with unemployment, we are and will be dealing with them.

Poverty reduction, creation of jobs, strengthening of the industrial potential, development of the non-oil sector, implementation of the program on the development of districts – all these are the main directions for us, and there are specific results on each of these directions. The opening of this wonderful and massive Olympic Sports Center today is in itself a demonstration of the power of the Azerbaijani state. By developing our economy, we have succeeded in fulfilling social programs. Solution of social problems and improvement of the living standards of the low-income population is always in the spotlight. As you know, population arrears for gas and water have been written off. What for? To ease the burden of this debt for those who can’t afford to pay. Other social programs are being implemented as well – the program of targeted social assistance. Specific suggestions have now been submitted on raising pensions and minimum wages. We will see the results of these initiatives in the near future.

In other words, a strong economic and social policy is being implemented in Azerbaijan. Today our country lives and develops at its own expense. Our development is unparalleled for the whole world because our economy has grown three times in seven years, a rate unseen in the world. So our development is dynamic, sustainable and comprehensive.

At the same time, there are problems in the country and they are being resolved. We will continue our policies in all directions. Additional measures are envisaged for the development of the country and districts. We must ensure that every citizen of Azerbaijan has a job and his salary corresponds to his needs. Wonderful conditions are being created for business people. If this weren’t the case, the private sector would not be developing. Special measures are being taken to develop the private sector. Today I have reviewed the activities of an agricultural service base. By establishing the “Agroleasing” state company several years ago, we have significantly improved provision of agricultural machinery. There is no shortage of it now. So we must work hard in every sector and pursue a goal-oriented policy. The entire society must rally around this cause so that we could further strengthen our independence, invigorate our economy and ensure a decent life to our people. This is our policy. This policy will continue to be pursued in the future too.

I am sure that the sports center opened today will serve the people of Imishli well. I think the center should be used not only by sportsmen but also by ordinary district residents. There are great conditions for doing sports here. I always advise citizens to do sports and pay attention to their health. Physical health is very important for everyone.

My sincere congratulations on this momentous event again! I wish all the people of Imishli good health and happiness.

Thank you.