Dear cadets, officers, generals!
 
I cordially welcome all of you and congratulate employees of the Ministry of National Security on their coming professional holiday.
 
As you know, the Academy of the Ministry of National Security of Azerbaijan has been created in 1998 on the decision of great leader Heydar Aliyev. And in December of the last year, the Academy was named after Heydar Aliyev. Getting acquainted today with Academy, I was convinced that the work here is swell organized; for short time, large-scale repair-construction work done. Buildings of Academy has been repaired and equipped well. In a word, today the Academy answers the highest world standards, and cadets, certainly, effectively using all these opportunities, should study, join this profession well.

The Academy carries Heydar Aliyev’s name, which, certainly, means the additional responsibility. All activity of Academy should be worthy this name. I hope it will be so, and the cadets trained in this Academy, in the further will play an active role in strengthening of the state independence of Azerbaijan.

Today, we have simultaneously opened a monument to Heydar Aliyev and a museum. Exhibits of the museum completely reflect the life and activity of the great leader. As you know, Heydar Aliyev since young years has connected himself with security service. He has passed a way from the most ordinary post up to chairman of the Committee of State Security, has received the rank of the general, and in the history of Azerbaijan, an Azerbaijani began to supervise for the first time the Committee of State Security. Up to him, representative of other nationality held this important post. Heydar Aliyev’s activity during all work has been devoted to service to native people. Despite of ideological frameworks of that time, his all activity has been directed on protection of our national interests and served interests of Azerbaijani people.

Those years in Soviet Union there were going various processes. As you know, one of directions of activity of the bodies of state security consisted in combating dissent, oppress freedom of speech, in other analogues work. But in the period, when Heydar Aliyev was Chairman of the Committee of State Security of Azerbaijan, and the next years when supervised over Azerbaijan, there were not similar facts.

It was not because that there were not such tendencies in Azerbaijan. It was because that Heydar Aliyev’s idea consisted in protecting the Azerbaijan elite - intelligentsia, writers, and poets, to create for them favorable conditions and to save from unreasonable pressure. For this reason, in 1970-80s, in Azerbaijan there was no dissident movement. In fact, Heydar Aliyev always protected known representatives of our intelligentsia, the people who lived in national spirit, he did not allow, that they were oppressed and that they were involved in the criminal liability.

The 1970s, as a whole, have created favorable circumstances and for today's development of Azerbaijan as those years our country has received all-around development. However, it was not the independent country, but Heydar Aliyev’s activity consisted in that were applied the attributes as much as possible reflecting independence of Azerbaijan. The military school after Nakhchivanski, which had not analogue in Soviet Union, has been created at that time.

 Those years, the Azerbaijan youth was sent to various large cities of Soviet Union to receive good formation. Those years have been created the enterprises substantially defining present industrial potential of Azerbaijan. Just those years, the people developed the literature, art of Azerbaijan, were handed over the highest state awards. Thus, fine conditions were created for all-around development of Azerbaijan.

The next years, all activity of the great leader also pursued only one purpose: to strengthen Azerbaijan, to make it richer, and our state independence - eternal, irreversible. In 1990s of past century, in those complex, heavy conditions the boldness, foresight, Heydar Aliyev’s wisdom after his arrival to power of Azerbaijan have rescued our country and people from trouble.

Certainly, owing to trust and support of people. All these factors have transformed today our country into the most advanced country of region. These factors have created opportunity for successful carrying out of economic reforms in Azerbaijan, and today our country intensively enough, dynamically develops. Our economic parameters are very high. A political condition in Azerbaijan is extremely positive, and the basis of all these affairs has been founded in mid-1990s.

Today this policy successfully continues in Azerbaijan. Azerbaijan gained leading position in region. Certainly, for successful development of our country, the state independence in Azerbaijan should become stronger. The state independence is our most valuable property, the biggest blessing. During many years and centuries, the Azerbaijani people have been deprived of this independence. It has been for 15 years that we are members of the world community, an independent state, and we define our destiny.

Strengthening of independence serves development of our country. Positions of Azerbaijan are consolidated. Azerbaijan builds the policy on the basis of national interests of our people. All these successes testify that this is the correct policy. Bodies of national safety represent extremely great value for strengthening of our state sovereignty.

 In 1960s, 1970s and, certainly, 1990s, great leader Heydar Aliyev possesses a huge role in formation of the bodies of national security. Having started to live as the independent state, Azerbaijan was in the extremely complex and heavy position. Henceforth, we ourselves should provide the safety. If to consider, that because of incompetence of the people was those years at power of Azerbaijan, the processes in the country went in the extremely negative direction - chaos, anarchy, aggression of Armenia against Azerbaijan, loss of our lands, civil war, - that these years were for us the extremely complex, heavy, and doubtful tears for independence of Azerbaijan.

Therefore, the great value represented the question of establishment, strengthening of the bodies of national security, their clearing of casual people. We should protect ourselves, protect the national safety, and, certainly, to provide a normal life of our country. Those years, the bodies of national security have become stronger. They have important role in strengthening, protection of the state independence of Azerbaijan. The next years, successful development of Azerbaijan, the conducted economic, political reforms, of course, notably strengthened our sovereignty.

Activity of the bodies of national security recently also is positive enough and successful. As you know, various criminal groups in Azerbaijan have been neutralized. Owing to activity of employees of the Ministry of National Security, have been neutralized the criminal groups, kidnappers, criminals, murderers, were detained terrorists, who worried our society. Solved were the questions represented threat for Azerbaijan. Therefore, I very highly assess activity of the bodies of national security. As you know, employees of the bodies have been awarded with high state awards.

 Simultaneously, are solved the household problems. The material base of the Ministry of National Security becomes stronger. We pay to the given question huge attention as today much depends on a high level of material base.

Certainly, professionalism, operative work is extremely important. I ma convinced, that owing to activity of Academy, the level of professionalism will become higher.

But at the present stage, certainly, it is necessary for us to use means effectively enough. The means providing our safety, strengthening material base, should be applied in Azerbaijan and answer the highest world standards.

In this direction, huge work also is being done. It is possible to tell that in Azerbaijan there is no question, or problem about which we would not know. It is extremely important, and in fact, our country is located in region with unstable conditions. Growing positions of Azerbaijan in the world, its value, riches of natural resources, certainly, raise attention to our country, and the forces hostile to Azerbaijan become more active. We are aware of the forces, which do not wish our successful developments, and we combat them.

For normal, all-around development of our country, for the welfare and peace of Azerbaijani people, it is necessary to protect stability, to protect the socio-political order, and it is necessary to provide safety. The Ministry of National Security carries out special function in this cause, it has a special role, and the Ministry of National Security with honor copes with the said problem. I wish to note it especially. In fact, in future, the positions of Azerbaijan in region, its value all over the world will increase more and more. This year, the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline the Baku-Tbilisi-Erzurum gas main will operate. It will involve more attention, and will increase some pressure upon us. We know about it, we also know the reasons of some inappropriate interventions. We should be ready to it, and we are ready.

We cooperate with all structures, with all states on the basis of principles of mutual trust and mutual understanding; we are true to this policy. But if someone tries to have unreasonable pressure on us, if we collide with inappropriate intervention in internal affairs of Azerbaijan, we can never reconcile to it. Azerbaijan pursues independent policy.

Our policy gets support, approval of people. This policy has already proved its success. The political, economic, social reforms conducted last ten years, which have strengthened our independence factors, have shown, that Azerbaijan develops in a correct direction.

I would not like to compare us to neighboring countries of the CIS. But we all see, that serious processes, the disturbing moments do not bring to people happiness and well-being.

 If to address to statistics, it is possible to see, what countries develop most intensively and in what - recession of economy and the industry is observed. I would not like to go into detail. But Azerbaijan is the country, developing in the highest rates. In past year, economic growth has exceeded 26 percent, and in the first months of this year it has approached to 50 percent. Due to what? It is because Azerbaijan conducts very expedient policy. Our policy should serve national interests. We do not interfere with internal affairs of other countries, and we do not have such intention.

But we cannot let, that someone interfered with our internal affairs, gave us the instruction, or tried to render pressure. We never shall allow it.

Force is necessary for achievement of it for us. Our force is in unity of authority and people. Our force is in economic policy. Our force is in eternity and irreversibility of independence. The people of Azerbaijan defines its the destiny. Bodies of national security have extremely important role in strengthening all positive tendencies, and I am convinced, that in the further these bodies will become even stronger and will be capable to solve all forthcoming problems.

In our region, there are various processes. Azerbaijan is located, lives in this region, and we, certainly, very closely, sensitively concern to all processes. The main thing is to achieve the further strengthening of safety in region. Therefore, we very actively participate in projects on the international cooperation. As you know, Azerbaijan is a member of the antiterrorist coalition. With own efforts we make contributions to combat against terror.

Azerbaijan is a country, which has suffered from terror. The Armenian terrorist organizations have carried out 32 terrorist certificates as a result of which were lost more than 2 thousand citizens of Azerbaijan, and thousand people became invalids. We know, that such terrorism. We know, what is the Armenian terrorism. We should be ready to it as the terrorism is an evil from which nobody can be completely guaranteed. The world should be consolidated.

All progressive mankind should be united, only in this case, combat against terrorism can be successful. All the terrorist organizations should be exposed, and it is impossible to admit discrimination here. It is necessary to expose all the terrorist organizations and put an end to their activity. Azerbaijan makes its contribution to this cause, and we are true to the said policy.
 
We have fine prospects. Our country economically becomes stronger. Our power, transport projects are being carried out. In the country, the social questions find their solution. Schools, hospitals are under construction, new workplaces open. If to consider, that in forthcoming years, Azerbaijan will receive large currency resources and economic growth will become more intensive. The unique problem causing our serious concern is the continuing aggression of Armenia against Azerbaijan and occupation of our lands.

As you know, the position of Azerbaijan remains constant. We approach to the said question only from the point of view of international law. Norms of international law should be applied, occupational forces should leave unconditionally our lands, territorial integrity of Azerbaijan should be restored. The said approach is based on norms of international law, and Azerbaijan is true to this policy.

We adhere to negotiations, and conduct peace talks. But the result, unfortunately, is not present. Long-term peace talks have remained ineffectual, in that case we, certainly, should bring in the policy the certain correctives.I do not consider, that the potential of negotiations was completely over.

In spite of the fact that the destructive position of Armenia, in particular, infringement of last meeting lead in France by Armenia, testify to absence of constructivism in their position. Apparently, they are going to delay time or to create visibility, to be engaged in imitation of negotiations. That is, I had such impression. At the same time, I consider, that opportunities of peace potential have not over. In that case we, certainly, shall remain devoted to peace process. At the same time, it is necessary for us to be ready to any variant.
 
The processes of wide army construction going on in last years in Azerbaijan pursue this purpose. Our military charges every year grow and will grow. It is our sovereign right, our cause. We are the country living in conditions of war.

Our territorial integrity, the sovereignty has been broken. Therefore, growth of military charges is natural process. To maintain it, the economy should become stronger. As you know, we give great attention to carrying out of economic reforms.

Thus, I reiterate, that settlement of the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict will be defined by diplomatic, political, economic, and military factors. The opposite party should know, that Azerbaijan is at any moment capable to restore the territorial independence and by military way. It should know it. The economic difference between Azerbaijan and Armenia becomes gradually more significant.

Our prospects it is available. Our successful development finds its reflection in all statistical data. Armenia is completely isolated from all international, regional projects. Its economic growth is the weakest. It is weak and in percentage. But if to take absolute figures, the difference between Armenia and Azerbaijan for last two years has increased, maybe, in 2-3 times. Our force will gradually grow, and we shall achieve the goal.

Dear friends, I wish to congratulate once again all staff, employees of the Ministry of National Security on the coming professional holiday. I am assured, that employees of the Ministry of National Security will play henceforth an active role in protection of the state interests of Azerbaijan, strengthening of statehood, the state independence. I wish you successes in this work. Thanks.