UN SECURITY COUNCIL SEAT SHOWS AZERBAIJAN’S POWER
news.az
Nov 1 2011
Azerbaijan
President Ilham Aliyev has described election to the UN Security
Council as Azerbaijan’s “biggest victory”.
He said that last week’s Security Council vote was the culmination
of the first 20 years of Azerbaijan’s independence.
The president made the remarks in a speech at the opening of a Heydar
Aliyev Centre in the central Azerbaijani town of Ujar on Sunday.
“In the UN Security Council, which is the highest authority in the
world, we will defend the principles to which we are committed. First
of all, we will defend justice. We approach everything from the
standpoint of justice. Both domestic processes and our foreign policy
initiatives are based on the principles of justice,” Aliyev said.
He said that Azerbaijan would uphold international law in the Security
Council and repeated Baku’s commitment to a resolution of the conflict
with Armenia over Nagorno-Karabakh based on territorial integrity,
as enshrined in international law.
News.Az prints below the full text of the president’s speech,
translated from AzerTAj.
Speech
“Dear friends! Today is a wonderful day. We’ve gathered at the
opening of the majestic Heydar Aliyev Centre in Ujar. I would like to
congratulate you on this wonderful event. I wish you good health. This
is really a magnificent facility, a palace. Heydar Aliyev centres are
under construction in the Azerbaijani regions. I can say that the
Heydar Aliyev Centre in Ujar stands out in terms of its beauty and
grandeur. Both outside and inside, in terms of design and function, the
centre is perfect. The construction of such centres is a manifestation
of the respect of the people of Azerbaijan for the memory of a great
leader. At the same time, these centres study the political legacy of
the great leader. Along with this, the centres should host a variety
of events.
“I am very pleased that this centre has excellent facilities for
various events. All important events in the district are to be held
here. Internet access is provided and some courses will be launched.
In short, this centre will make Ujar more beautiful. In the area
around the centre, people will relax, and there is a beautiful area,
where much has been done for improvement.
“I am very pleased that Ujar is being successfully constructed and
developed. I am sure that in the coming years these trends will further
intensify. We need to make each region, each regional centre, each
village more beautiful and comfortable. We have potential to this
end. The creation of such wonderful centres and beautiful squares
shows that Azerbaijan is developing successfully, all the problems
facing the country have been successfully resolved. The foundation
of our success was laid by great leader Heydar Aliyev.
“While marking the 20th anniversary of the restoration of our
independence this year and again looking back in history, we can
see that the great leader did a unique service to the people of
Azerbaijan and the state. Heydar Aliyev, who returned to power at the
people’s request in the hardest times, stabilized the situation and
led Azerbaijan along the path of development. We have talked quite
widely about this issue at recent events on independence. Different
events on the restoration of independence have been held in all
regions of our country. Heydar Aliyev earned exceptional praise for
the creation of the basis of statehood in Azerbaijan, the construction
of a law-governed state, the ratification of democratic principles
and conduct of reforms. This policy is continuing today. We are
committed to this policy. Azerbaijani people are committed to the
policy of Heydar Aliyev and respect his memory. This policy opens
up new possibilities in Azerbaijan. In recent years, we carried
out extensive redevelopment and creative work in all regions. Work
continues in all districts to build houses and schools, lay a gas
supply network and build public infrastructure. These factors determine
the full development of our country.
International role
“We have strong economic potential, and this is the reality. Our
position in the world is getting stronger and others also accept
these realities. Today, Azerbaijan is the leading state in regional
affairs, and leading state in the South Caucasus. Azerbaijan’s economy
constitutes 83% of the economy of the South Caucasus. Our initiatives
in the political sphere play an important role in deepening cooperation
in the region. Our position in the world is growing stronger too.
“The recent election of Azerbaijan as a member of the UN Security
Council once again demonstrates the power of our country. It once again
shows how good the policy of Azerbaijan is. The processes inside the
country, economic development, are reflected in the statistics.
Structures dealing with these issues, people, experts can see and
appreciate the successful development of Azerbaijan.
“And our election with a large majority to the UN Security Council has
presented Azerbaijan as a modern, strong and influential country. The
international community has great respect for Azerbaijan and trusts
it. A total of 155 countries supported us; 155 countries believed in
us and placed their hopes in us. Of course, we’ll live up to these
expectations. First of all, we will justify and meet the expectations
of the Azerbaijani people. The clear evidence of this is the reform and
work carried out in this country. We’ll also live up the expectations
of our partners and friendly countries. In the UN Security Council,
which is the highest authority in the world, we will defend the
principles to which we are committed. First of all, we will defend
justice. We approach everything from the standpoint of justice.
Both domestic processes and our foreign policy initiatives are based
on the principles of justice.
“We are going to uphold international law in the Security Council. We
stand for resolution of all matters on the basis of international law.
There is no other mechanism of peace. The principles of international
law are accepted by the international community because they are true.
Our just cause, the Karabakh conflict, the issue of occupation of our
lands should also be resolved only on the basis of the principles of
international law.
“The UN Security Council, of which we have recently become a member,
adopted four resolutions on the settlement of the Armenian-Azerbaijani
conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh. They adopted a fair decision.
Unfortunately, these resolutions have not been fulfilled yet.
“We already are a member of this powerful framework. We have entered
the list of select countries of the world. Of course, we will protect
their interests more broadly and inform the international community of
the truth about our country and region. But I also have to note that
the election raises our responsibility. We are ready to assume this
responsibility, otherwise, we wouldn’t have nominated our candidacy.
All the same, the vote shows that there is enough information about
Azerbaijan in the world. In some cases the international community
is referred to on different issues. The international community
consists of all countries. The majority of them back Azerbaijan. The
international community backs us. In future, when some circles seek
to put forward an idea or proposal and refer to the international
community, they should know that the international community’s view
has been reflected in this vote.
“Azerbaijan is a country which is praised by the international
community. This is a great achievement, a great success. This proves
that Azerbaijan has chosen the right path over recent years. I have
to repeat that this path was shown by our great leader. Over recent
years, committed to his political and spiritual heritage, and holding
reforms, we have managed to strengthen our country. We have always
taken specific action. The development of all regions, the creation
of new jobs in the regions and construction of such majestic palaces
are the realities of modern Azerbaijan. Our economy is growing in
the hardest years, critical for the world, salaries and pensions are
growing, there is no delay in the implementation of infrastructure
projects. All promises have been fulfilled.
Independent foreign policy
“There are no differences about our foreign policy inside the country.
However, in some cases people who call themselves experts have voiced
different thoughts about our foreign policy both inside the country and
abroad. They sometimes voiced critical ideas, saying that Azerbaijan’s
balanced policy is erroneous and Azerbaijan should become closer to one
power and become its protege. But this vote has again proved that these
thoughts are mistaken and harmful. This vote showed that Azerbaijan’s
policy is the only true one. This is not a balanced policy. I have
to repeat that this is an independent policy. We, as an independent
country, respect ourselves, respect our people and the state. We build
our policy exceptionally on the interests of the Azerbaijani people. We
have established equal relations with all countries, regardless of
their size and strength. These are already established relations.
“Azerbaijan is known as a reliable partner and a worthy country.
Therefore, I am sure that there will be no differences about foreign
policy in the future. This vote has proven the success of our policy.
Why do I pay so much attention to this issue? Not only because it
is our biggest victory and we have the right to take pride in this
success, but also because this victory draws the conclusions of the
20-year period of independence. This stage is the highest that we have
achieved. But it is not limited to us. We look into the future with
confidence. We have definite plans and programs for the future and
they are being implemented. What achievements will Azerbaijan gain
in the next two decades? How will Azerbaijan develop in the next 50
years? We are laying the foundation of the next 50 years today.
“At the recent sitting in the Cabinet, I said that over the past eight
years our economy has tripled. No other country demonstrates such a
result. The economy must even double in the next 10 years. This is
a very serious sign and a big responsibility. It won’t be easy to do
this. Given that our current economic potential is quite strong, its
doubling will demand great skills and professionalism. But I believe
and I know that with the right implementation of the adopted programs
we will achieve this and more. We must ensure this development,
primarily though the non-oil sector and the regions. Therefore,
along with redevelopment and creative work, we implement investment
projects, create new enterprises, create jobs and the country’s
economy is developing intensively.
“I have to note once again that today’s event, this majestic Heydar
Aliyev Centre, this wonderful square, embody the development of
Azerbaijan. Today the flourishing and developing Azerbaijan needs
such buildings. Schools, buildings, hospitals, roads, redevelopment
and creative work bring joy. These buildings give more beauty. These
buildings reflect the successful development of Azerbaijan.
“Dear friends, I want to congratulate you again on this wonderful
event. I wish sound health and new success to all residents of Ujar.
Thank you.”