Domestic

Domestic

The occupation must and will be brought to the end, the President of Azerbaijan

25 June 2012 21:49 (UTC +04:00)

Baku-APA. "An attention is paid to the training of military personnel in Azerbaijan,. I am very pleased that the professionalism and combat readiness of our troops are growing from year to year, morale is high. Our young people brought up in a patriotic spirit. Thus, we must be prepared and ready for facing the countryâ€™s main problem - the liberation of our lands from the invaders, " said Ilham Aliyev, the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan at 2012 graduation ceremony of officers from special military educational institutions held at the Heydar Aliyev Azerbaijan Higher Miiltary School, APA reports.
The President noted the Armyâ€™s construction process began in 1993: "This process continues today. During these years, the regular army was established and reinforced in Azerbaijan. Azerbaijani army is one of the strongest armies, not only in the region but also globally. The material-technical base of our army is massively strengthened. Military expenditures are growing every year. Military expenditures are at the first place of the state budget. And this is natural. So it should be, because we live in a time of war. The war is not over yet. Completed its first phase. There is a ceasefire. But the peace agreement has not been signed. The country that lives in war, first of all need to pay attention to army. This is the situation in Azerbaijan. Over the past few years, our military spending increased by more than 20 times. Currently, these costs are at $ 3.6 billion. Thatâ€™s 50 percent more of total government expenditure in Armenia. Of course, these realities have created our successful economic policy, our economic reforms. The cost of the army will continue to grow. Of course, this is a huge support for strengthening our army. But at the same time, I am very pleased that combat readiness of our army is increased. The patriotic feelings of those who serve in the army, are at a very high level. We create a professional army. I am sure that the logistics, our economic strength, military training, education of our youth in patriotic spirit - all these factors lead us to achieve the sacred purpose.
Our lands are under occupation. This occupation continues. This occupation must and will be brought to an end. "
The President said that from a political point of view of Azerbaijanâ€™s position is strong enough, " Any initiative and any project can not be implemented can not be implemented without our involvement in the region. We won the support of the world. Our election to the UN Security Council in October last year demonstrates the worldâ€™s attitude towards Azerbaijan.
The occupying forces must withdraw from all occupied lands. Azerbaijani citizens must return to their native lands.
I regularly visit military units. I am often on the front lines. I meet and talk with the soldiers in the trenches. I see that Azerbaijani soldiers is really tied to the homeland. Love of country, patriotic spirit are very high. I am sure that all these factors I have mentioned - our political power, economic development, military power, love of country will lead to a solution of the problem, Azerbaijan will restore its territorial integrity, the flag of Azerbaijan will flutter in Shusha, Khankendi, Nagorno-Karabakh. "