Announcement

Collapse
No announcement yet.

BAKU: Congratulations of Aliyev to the people of Azerbaijan

Collapse
X
 
  • Filter
  • Time
  • Show
Clear All
new posts

  • BAKU: Congratulations of Aliyev to the people of Azerbaijan

    AzerTag, Azerbaijan
    Dec 31 2004

    CONGRATULATIONS OF PRESIDENT OF AZERBAIJAN ILHAM ALIYEV TO THE PEOPLE
    OF AZERBAIJAN ON THE OCCASION OF THE WORLD AZERBAIJAN IS SOLIDARITY
    DAY AND THE NEW YEAR
    [January 01, 2005, 00:11:24]

    Dear ladies and Gentlemen!

    I extend my heartfelt congratulations to you on the New Year.

    The year 2004 was extremely important one in the history of
    Azerbaijan. In 2004, a new era in Azerbaijan's development began. It
    was the year of difficult tests for all of us, for me, for the whole
    people of Azerbaijan. We have lived out this year without out
    national leader Heydar Aliyev. It was very important to continue all
    the successes Azerbaijan has achieved over the past ten years.

    I was trying to do my best for steady development of Azerbaijan and
    ensuring of peace, stability and progress in the country.

    2004 was a successful year for Azerbaijan in all spheres. Azerbaijan
    has consolidated its international positions. Our country has
    achieved great success with respect to both bilateral relations and
    regional cooperation. Azerbaijan intensified its cooperation with
    international organizations.

    Progress has been achieved in the settlement of the hardest problem
    of our country and the region - Armenia-Azerbaijan, Nagorno-Karabakh
    conflict. The international community now applies more serious
    approach to the issue. The OSCE Minsk Group has intensified its
    activities. Other international organizations - the European Union,
    the Council of Europe, the United Nations - frankly express today
    their positions on the problem. It is no secret that 2004 marked the
    turn in this process - the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan is
    already not a subject of negotiations.

    I sated more than once that Azerbaijan would never compromise the
    issue of territorial integrity; we will never discuss this issue. The
    talks must be held on the base of the international law only. I am
    very glad that the international organizations directly involved in
    this problem as well as the international community already realize
    this stance; this stance is worthy of more attention. I am sure we
    will manage to solve the problem only on the base of the norms of the
    international law.

    At the same time, Azerbaijan has to strengthen its armed forces.

    As you know while visiting regions this year, I also visited military
    units to study the situation personally. I saw our army strengthening
    day by day. We attach a paramount importance to this issue. The 2004
    budged had envisaged the growth military expenditures, and in the
    middle of the year, we introduced changes in the budget and did that.
    The 2005 budget implies almost 30% increase, and we will do raise the
    amount of funds for the army needs. Our army should be stronger and
    capable to solve all the tasks set.

    We want to solve the Nagorno-Karabakh problem peacefully, and adhere
    to this policy. However, we will never put up with the loss of our
    territories, and will liberate our native lands in any way. To reach
    the goal, our army should be powerful. In order to have a powerful
    army, Azerbaijan should develop its economy. It was not accidental
    that so great attention was paid to economic development of the
    country in 2004. The aim of the programs of socio-economic
    development, regional development is to consolidate Azerbaijan,
    increase its economic potential and therefore, increase its power.

    I am very happy that the achievements are obvious in this sphere as
    well.

    The volume of GDP growth made up almost 10%. Foreign investments in
    the economy of Azerbaijan reached approximately $4 billion. Over 110
    thousand new jobs were opened in the provinces. For the country with
    8 million of population, it is the fact, which has no analogues in
    the world. I am glad that the program of regional development
    initiated by me brings fruits; we all can already see that we are
    able to cope with any task set. The creation of 110 thousand jobs
    means that 110 thousand people are employed, and bring wage to their
    families. Simultaneously, our economic potential is being
    strengthened. Important measures to open more jobs will be undertaken
    next year as well, and I am sure we will fulfill our promises.

    Social problems are also in the constant focus of our attention.
    Salaries and wages, pensions and other social payments have been
    increased more than once during this year. This work will be
    continued. Much work has been done to increase the minimal wage.
    Under executive order I have recently signed, the minimal wage will
    be increased next year by 25 percent. This is a priority of our
    political course.

    I repeatedly stated that despite the Azerbaijan's economy is
    developed on the base of the principles of market economy, we have to
    pay constant attention to the social issues. Of course, solving the
    social problems of refugees and IDPs is the most important task. We
    have been working hard in this direction. New settlements are being
    constructed for the refugees and internally displaced persons,
    necessary funds have been allocated from the State Oil Fund for this
    purpose, and we will continue this effort.

    The Oil Fund plays a great role in the economy of Azerbaijan, for
    strengthening of the country's economic potential and solving social
    problems. This Fund was founded by national leader of our people
    Heydar Aliyev, and now, the currency reserves of Azerbaijan make up
    today $1 billion 80 million. A lot of social programs are funded by
    the Oil Fund. Of course, if the oil strategy initiated by Heydar
    Aliyev had not began, the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline successfully
    constructed and the 'Contract of the Century' successfully
    implemented, it would be impossible to talk about economic progress
    today.

    All this indicates once again that Azerbaijan is a thoroughly and
    steadily developing country.

    Completion of the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline's construction in
    2005, successful construction of the Baku-Tbilisi-Ersurum gas
    pipeline will allow us to considerably increase economic potential of
    Azerbaijan within the few next years. It will also allow us to solve
    all our issues, social problems, realize infrastructure projects and
    consolidate even more our Homeland.

    Dear ladies and Gentlemen!

    Dear friends!

    Dear brothers and sisters!

    The year 2004 was very important for me. This was the first year of
    my presidency. I have been doing my best to serve worthily the
    Azerbaijani people, my homeland to contribute to strengthening of our
    country. It is up to you how much I have succeeded. Anyhow, I have
    been and I will be striving for doing all possible for Azerbaijan to
    become a powerful country, enhance its international prestige and for
    its people to live better.

    Today we also mark the Solidarity Day of the world Azerbaijanis. I
    offer my congratulations to all of you on this occasion, as well. I
    call on the Azerbaijanis around the world to unity and solidarity.

    I once again wish you a Happy New Year, good health, welfare and
    family happiness.
Working...
X