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President Ilham Aliyev: â€œ2010 was successful for Azerbaijanâ€

31 December 2010 21:06 (UTC +04:00)

He said that 2010 was a successful year for Azerbaijan.
He said that although economic and financial crisis still reigned in the world in 2010, Azerbaijan recorded great achievements. All social programs were fulfilled and all the tasks facing the country completed with honour. Our economy expanded by approximately 5 per cent, peopleâ€™s incomes rose by 12 per cent and overall inflation stood at 5.7 per cent. $15 billion were invested in the country, our currency reserves rose from $20 billion to $29 billion.
He said that Azerbaijan also developed in the social sphere. 45 health establishments and more than 70 schools were built or repaired, 5 Olympic sports centres were built. The minimum wage and basic pensions were increased: â€œThis demonstrates the social orientation of our policyâ€.

He said that there were positive political developments in our country in 2010. Transparent and fair elections were held in the country: â€œThis demonstrates that we achieved success not only in the economic sphere but also in our development of political reformâ€.
According to him, great advances were made in our foreign policy in 2010. The number of Azerbaijanâ€™s friends and the countries which wish to cooperate with Azerbaijan increased. He said that Azerbaijan already had long-established relationships with international organisations, relationships built on mutual respect, beliefs and interests: â€œIn 2010 the European Parliament adopted a very important and just resolution on the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.â€
He said that the resolution of Armenia-Azerbaijan, Nagorno-Karabakh conflict is Azerbaijanâ€™s main duty and greatest problem and Azerbaijan endeavours to settle this problem by peaceful means and by way of negotiation: â€œAzerbaijan will never reconcile itself to the current position and will never allow the establishment of a second Armenian state in our eternal land Nagorno-Karabakh. This conflict will only be resolved according to the norms of international law and the territorial integrity of Azerbaijanâ€.
The president said that great infrastructural projects have been implemented in Azerbaijan in 2010. Large and significant measures have been undertaken in the transport and construction sectors and in the work to establish electrical energy supply. Work began on the construction of a large ship-building facility and International Sea Trade Port in Baku. The construction of the Oguz-Qabala-Baku water pipeline was completed in 2010.
Head of the State stressed the declaration of 2010 as â€œYear of Ecologyâ€™ in Azerbaijan and 6 mln trees were planted in the country within this framework. 300,000 Azerbaijani citizens, who live in those villages alongside rivers were supplied with drinking water compliant with World Health Organisation standards. The President said that 2010 saw great achievements in our economyâ€™s leading sector â€“ oil and gas. 51 million tons of oil and 27 billion cubic metres of gas were produced in our country. He said that Azerbaijan is a very reliable partner, and our resources of oil and gas are strengthening our country, its economy and also its international position. A huge gas field was discovered in 2010. The discovery of this field has already had a great impact on the world and this event will have great significance for the introduction of Azerbaijanâ€™s energy potential to the worldâ€™s markets.

He touched on the activity of Azerbaijani diaspora and said that â€œthey should know that behind them stands a very strong, powerful, modern and free Azerbaijani state. Azerbaijan is their support and defender. They also represent Azerbaijan in their countries of domicileâ€.

He said that the State Flag Square was established in Baku and the worldâ€™s biggest and highest flag was raised in this square: â€œOur flag is our national symbol, a symbol of the state and a source of pride. Our flag should be raised in the occupied lands, and it will be raised. Our national flag should fly in Shusha and Khankendi, and it will fly. All of us should hasten that day and all of us will achieve that day. Azerbaijan will restore its territorial integrity and, once that is achieved, the Azerbaijani stateâ€™s only direction will be along the path of development and progressâ€.