Speech by Ilham Aliyev at the opening of the Heydar Aliyev Center in Guba

Dear friends, let me heartily salute you. It is a great day for both Guba and our country today.

A beautiful, majestic and grandiose Heydar Aliyev Center is opening in Guba. Let me heartily congratulate all of you on this occasion. I can say that the Center in Guba is perhaps the most beautiful, majestic and functional of all Heydar Aliyev Centers built in our country in recent years. This center lends further beauty to the city. At the same time, it is fully ready to conduct various activities. While touring the center now, I saw a conference hall, a cinema, clubs and a café. We need to ensure that the Center is always busy, so that residents and guests could use it rationally.

This year we are celebrating the 20th anniversary of the restoration of our independence. Over the 20 years our country has managed to significantly expand its capabilities. Twenty years ago, in the first years of our independence, there were questions: How will Azerbaijan develop? What will the country be like in 10 or 20 years? As you know, the first years of our independence will remain in our memories and in the history as a difficult period. After great leader Heydar Aliyev came to power in Azerbaijan in 1993, the country embarked on a new period. Azerbaijan began to live as an independent country, and in a short time the situation stabilized, an end was put to the economic recession. Economic development began, investment started to be made in the country. Azerbaijan secured a worthy place in the international community.

The people of Azerbaijan made a very wise decision at that time by turning to the great leader and urging him to take power. And Azerbaijan has been moving only along the path of development since 1993. Our development is evaluated by citizens of the country. At the same time, international organizations monitor the processes ongoing in Azerbaijan, influential international organizations award Azerbaijan high ratings. This is an assessment the international community is giving to the work we do.

Of course, this is very gratifying, it inspires us even more. But most important of all is the assessment of the Azerbaijani people.

Azerbaijan, which has been living as an independent country for 20 years, is looking into the future with great expectations and optimism. All the programs adopted to date are being implemented. There are no delays. Covering every area, these specific programs serve all-round development of our country. Among them I would like to highlight the State program on the socioeconomic development of districts. Adopted in February 2004, the program is already entering its second phase. Thanks to its implementation Azerbaijani districts are undergoing rapid development. In 2004, the development of our districts was identified as a major issue for us, and this is still the case today.

The work carried out in districts today suggests that most of the program has been implemented, hundreds of thousands of jobs have been created. All our cities and district centers have become more beautiful and comfortable.
Infrastructure projects are ongoing. Road construction projects are being implemented across our country.
Water and sanitation projects are currently under way in all our district centers and cities, gasification is successfully under way. All measures are taken to ensure a normal life for our people. Hospitals, schools, sports facilities are being set up. The people of Guba can see this development in their own district.

A beautiful Olympic center, a medical and diagnostic center that meets the highest standards, a magnificent Heydar Aliyev Center have been built in Guba. Infrastructure projects are being implemented. The Baku-Guba road has been put into operation – it is a very comfortable and beautiful road that meets international standards. One can travel to Baku and surrounding districts comfortably now.

Villages are being landscaped. Guba has a great tourism potential. Unfortunately, we were unable to adequately use these opportunities in previous years. But now we are paying more attention to the development of tourism. A five-star hotel is under construction in Guba, other tourist facilities are and should be established. In short, sufficient attention has been paid to the comprehensive development of Guba in recent years, funds have been allocated. And additional funds will be allocated in the near future.

Guba is an ancient Azerbaijani city, our old land. State attention to Azerbaijan’s ancient cities should bear a special meaning.

All our cities are improving. There is development in every district, every settlement. For me, as President, the development of every district and city is important and significant. But from a historical standpoint Azerbaijan has such ancient places and cities whose names are shown even on ancient maps. And Guba holds a worthy place among such cities. So Guba should be given special attention.

In the future, further measures will be taken to facilitate the socioeconomic development of the district. Jobs are and should be created here, the social infrastructure should be renewed, the construction of schools must go faster. School construction across the country has taken a broad sweep. We have to make sure that even the most remote village schools are built at the highest level.

Special attention is paid to rural roads. Funds have recently been allocated from the Reserve Fund of the President for the construction of various rural roads. And Guba District may have received the funds before others. If you remember, the Guba-Khinalig road was completely renovated a few years ago, and this must be kept under permanent control. As you know, due to environmental conditions this road sometimes becomes unserviceable and must be restored immediately. All our roads should be reconstructed, all conditions for the normal life of our people are and should be created.

The present successful development of Azerbaijan, I repeat, is highly valued by the world community.

Azerbaijan is the strongest state in the region. Our country accounts for 75 per cent of the South Caucasus economy. The demographic situation in Azerbaijan is very good, our population is growing from year to year. We already have a population of 9.1 million people, and it will continue to grow. Of course, our natural resources give us faith and extra power. We are using these opportunities efficiently. Every citizen should see these positive changes in his daily life, this is what we are working for.

Thus, as a result of the development of districts and the growing non-oil sector, we are eliminating such a major issue as unemployment. This year’s economic development and growth figures are not as high. The reason is that oil production has slightly decreased, which immediately affects overall indicators.

But this is no longer the key issue. The key issue is that our non-oil economy is growing. This suggests that the investment made in the oil industry is facilitating the development of the non-oil economy. This shows that as a result of well-designed programs, we have succeeded in diversifying our economy. In the future, we must make rational use of the inherent qualities of every district. Tourism, agriculture, light industry, food processing industry – these sectors are more important for this region, and I am sure that additional measures will be taken in the future to achieve these objectives.

As you know, I have repeatedly visited Guba and studied the situation. Today, I will also participate in several activities. I want to say that you can rest assured that the processes ongoing in Guba are constantly under my control. I am always interested in the work ongoing here. I am just as happy as you are to see this innovation, beautiful buildings and landscaping.

Once again let me congratulate you on this wonderful event – the opening of this majestic center well worthy of the great leader’s name. I wish you good health and success. Thank you.