Speech by Ilham Aliyev at the opening of Shaki “ASAN Hayat” complex

- Good morning. I sincerely congratulate you on the opening of the Shaki “ASAN Həyat” center and wish you every success in your work. I am very glad that such a wonderful center has been set up and launched in the city of Sheki. Jobs have been created here for the young people of Shaki. You have been offered 190 jobs. I am glad that the overwhelming majority of those working here are young people, including girls. At the same time, I am told that 50 volunteers will work in the center as well. Thus, a total of 240 people will provide services at the highest level. “ASAN Həyat” and “ASAN xidmət” centers are one of the organizations providing public services at the highest level in the world. It is no coincidence that the UN presented “ASAN Xidmət” with a special award for public services several years ago. As you know, this experience is being studied in several countries, and relevant documents on “ASAN xidmət” centers have been signed with several countries. This shows that now the service is of great interest on a global scale. It makes us very happy because it is our intellectual product. I have repeatedly said that “ASAN” is a national brand of Azerbaijan. We offer our intellectual products to citizens and, at the same time, demonstrate to the world that Azerbaijan is a leader in this field.

The establishment of “ASAN xidmət” centers has created a revolution in the field of public services in our country. We all know very well that this area was causing the biggest concerns. The 15 centers operating in Azerbaijan today – and this center is 15th – provide the highest level of services. There is no bureaucracy, bribery, corruption or red tape in these centers. It is no coincidence that people’s assessment of “ASAN xidmət” is 100 per cent positive and its approval ratings are close to 100 per cent.

When attending the opening and launch of the Imishly “ASAN Həyat” center this month, I saw on the board that more than 24 million applications had been received. Today, when launching the Shaki center, I saw on the board that the number of applications was already close to 25 million. This shows that there have been numerous applications in a short period of time, and we are already approaching the figure of 25 million. I believe that we will reach this figure in a few days. In the coming years, next year in particular, at least five centers will be set up. Thus, the number of “ASAN xidmət” centers in the regions will reach 15, and a total of 20 service centers will be providing services to Azerbaijani citizens, including five centers in Baku.

The establishment of these centers reflects the successful policy of Azerbaijan. “ASAN xidmət” is about cultured service. They are centers offering innovative methods of the highest level. The fight against corruption and bribery we are conducting is fully established in the centers of “ASAN xidmət”, and this is an example, a model for all government agencies. In my speeches, I have repeatedly said that transparency and honesty in all spheres of life in Azerbaijan should reach the level of the “ASAN xidmət” centers, and we are gradually approaching this goal.

“ASAN xidmət” is also a reflection of our youth policy, as the absolute majority of those working in “ASAN xidmət” centers are young people. Jobs are being created for young people. The movement of volunteers in Azerbaijan was initiated in “ASAN xidmət”. I can say that there was no movement of volunteers in Azerbaijan before “ASAN xidmət”. The first step in this area was taken by “ASAN xidmət”, and thousands of volunteers provided excellent services at the European and Islamic Games held in our country in recent years. To date, thousands of volunteers have accumulated experience in “ASAN xidmət” centers, have been trained, have worked with our citizens and are already fully prepared for independent life. “ASAN xidmət” is a very successful initiative from the point of view of training. These services reflect the work we have done in this area.

“ASAN” has recently expanded the scope of its activities. I have repeatedly said that the areas that do not receive the approval of our citizens and are causing public concerns should apply the approach of “ASAN xidmət”. It is no coincidence that the number of services provided in these centers is gradually increasing. This center provides 320 types of services. The first centers of “ASAN xidmət” provided 100 and then 200 types of services. Now the number of services is growing and will gradually increase. “ASAN xidmət” is developing a very important sphere for our country – the sphere of self-employment. “ABAD” centers operate as well. One “ABAD” center will be opened in the city of Shaki today. “ABAD” centers play a special role in the efficient operation of family farms. So it is possible to say that these centers cover most of the tasks facing the country and set an example, a way, an approach. It is no coincidence that citizens like these centers very much. There are two cinemas in the Shaki “ASAN Həyat” center. I asked if there is a cinema in Shaki. I was told there wasn’t. Now there will be two cinemas. “ASAN xidmət” centers play a special role in the effective leisure of young people and other citizens not only in Shaki but also all the cities where there are “ASAN xidmət” centers. This is why I set the task of gradually increasing the number of “ASAN xidmət” centers. This center will serve several districts – Shaki, Oguz, Zagatala, Gakh, Balakan. In the future, a new center will be set up in this region for people’s comfort. In short, we see a reflection of our successful policy in “ASAN xidmət” centers.

As a result of the implementation of the State Program on the Socioeconomic Development of the Regions, a great deal of improvement and creative work has been done in all our regions, including Shaki District. Shaki is our ancient city famous not only in Azerbaijan but also throughout the region for its nature, architecture and cuisine. The preservation of the historical appearance of Shaki is the duty of every citizen of Azerbaijan, the duty of the Azerbaijani state, and we are doing that. Shaki, while preserving its ancient historical appearance, is developing and modernizing. Major infrastructure projects are being implemented in Shaki District. I can say that as a result of the work done in recent years, gasification has reached 82 per cent. A few years ago, a power station with a capacity of 87 megawatts was built in Shaki on my initiative. Currently, we are implementing a drinking water project in Shaki. I have instructed to speed up the implementation of this project.

Today we celebrated the opening of a rural road. Opposite this center there is the Shaki District Central Hospital. I have personally attended the opening ceremony of this hospital. The Olympic center and more than 30 schools have been built and refurbished, there are numerous recreation areas and hotels. Today, Shaki is turning into an international travel destination. Naturally, there are many factors that attract tourists to Shaki – history, architecture, cuisine, the works of Shaki craftsmen, and the hospitality of the people of Shaki. Of course, taking into account all these factors, we must and will try to develop Shaki District even faster in order to resolve all the outstanding issues.

The Shaki-Balakan highway has been fully overhauled. During my previous visits here, I opened the Shaki-Gakh highway. Currently, a lot is being done to launch the Baku-Shaki highway. The absolute majority of roads in two directions – both in the direction of Yevlakh and Shamakhi – is at a high level. In the future, additional measures will be taken for the rapid development of Shaki. As a result of this visit, an order will be signed on the construction of a new school for 960 pupils and a 48-apartment building in Shaki. Other projects will be implemented as well. I am glad that the wonderful “ASAN Həyat” center is functioning in the city of Shaki. I congratulate you once again on this wonderful event and wish you every success. Do serve the citizens well! Thank you!