President Aliyev: Transportation projects implemented by Azerbaijan to ensure economic development in region

The Summit of the Alliance of Conservatives and Reformists in Europe (ACRE), included panels on the topics of Energy Security, Economic Freedom, Digital Economy, Transport and Communication, took place in Baku on June 9.

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev in his letter to the event congratulated the participants on the kick-off of the next summit, which has in a relatively short time turned into a reputable organization that plays an important role in the socio-political life of the continent.

“It is noteworthy that today's summit coincides with the period when the 100th anniversary of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic, the first parliamentary republic in the Muslim world where women were granted the voting right before in most of the Western states, is widely celebrated,” the head of state noted.

“As the legal successor of the Democratic Republic, Azerbaijan took the path of market economy, democracy, rule of law and secular state-building in the years of independence, established relations based on mutually beneficial cooperation with individual countries, becoming an equal member of the world community," President Aliyev said in his letter.

President Aliyev noted that transnational gas and transportation projects that are being implemented on Azerbaijan’s initiative and with its active participation make a significant contribution to ensuring Europe’s energy security and sustainable social and economic development of the countries in the region.

“The launch of the Southern Gas Corridor, which was officially opened on May 29, will create new opportunities for further increasing the success achieved in this sphere,” he said.

The head of state went on to add that Azerbaijan attaches special importance to international humanitarian cooperation.

“It diligently supports intercultural dialogue, the ideas of multiculturalism and tolerance, helps to solve global problems to the best of its ability. But I should note with regret that the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict that began 30 years ago continues to be the most serious obstacle both to the country’s development and the expansion of regional cooperation,” said President Aliyev.

The head of state pointed out that Armenia, which pursues expansionist policy, has occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijani lands, turning more than a million people in Azerbaijan into refugees and IDPs.

“Despite the fact that the UN, OSCE, the Council of Europe, the European Union, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, the NonAligned Movement and other reputable organizations have made decisions on the conflict’s fair settlement on the basis of the principle of territorial integrity, the international community hasn’t so far taken effective measures to end the aggression,” he said.

“I hope that taking into account the existing reality, the Alliance members will give an adequate assessment to the fact of occupation accompanied by a gross and massive violation of human rights, which poses a serious threat to security in the region. I believe the meeting organized by you in Azerbaijan will be held in conditions of high efficiency, the proposals put forward and the decisions taken will serve the fulfillment of the tasks set, the development of democracy and free society, the maintenance of peace and prosperity. I wish each of you success on this path!” President Aliyev said in his letter.

Addressing the event Deputy Minister of Transport, Communications and High Technologies Elmir Velizade stressed that Azerbaijan has become the main transport center of the region.

The deputy minister noted that modernization of infrastructure and legal framework, and improvement of the quality and availability of services constitute the basis of development of Azerbaijan’s transport sector.

“Today we are observing the development of the transport sector in Azerbaijan. The country, located at the intersection of East and West, North and South, is the initiator and participant of such international transport projects as, for example, Baku-Tbilisi-Kars (BTK). New opportunities in transport and logistics for the region are also created by the new Baku International Sea Trade Port,” he said.

The deputy minister noted that the modernization of the aviation sector will also be continued in Azerbaijan.

“Today there are six international airports in Azerbaijan. It is planned to purchase new aircraft and expand the geography of flights,” Velizade said.

In turn, Sahib Mammadov, Deputy Minister of Economy said that Azerbaijan intends to continue its work on diversification of economy.

He noted that the economic indicators for the first quarter of 2018 suggest that the work done is bearing fruit.

“Azerbaijan’s GDP in 1Q2018 increased by 1.2 percent, and non-oil GDP rose by 2.1 percent. These figures are indicators of further growth. Economic reforms in Azerbaijan will be continued. Diversification of economy is very important for Azerbaijan as an oil and gas country,” the deputy minister said.

He noted that the government of Azerbaijan intends to continue to invest in the development of infrastructure, including social infrastructure.

“The development of infrastructure is the key to the development of entrepreneurship and business in Azerbaijan. In general, the priorities are the development of the non-oil sector of the economy and human capital,” Mammadov noted.

Emil Gasimli, head of Marketing and Business Development Department of Azerbaijan’s state oil company SOCAR, taking his turn, underlined that the Southern Gas Corridor (SGC) will help Europe achieve its goals of diversifying gas sources and ensuring energy security.

“We understand that energy security, diversification and recarbonization remain priorities for Europe,” Gasimli said, adding that natural gas is one of the purest types of fuel and we believe that this project will help Europe to achieve its goals.

SOCAR representative stressed that the project is on schedule, and the implementation of two projects within the SGC has already been completed. He reminded that the opening ceremony of the Trans-Anatolian Natural Gas Pipeline (TANAP) will be held in a few days.

President of the Alliance of Conservatives and Reformists in Europe (ACRE), Vice-Chairman of International Trade Committee of European Parliament, MEP Jan Zahradil, at his part emphasized that it is necessary to put an end to the adoption of biased decisions on Azerbaijan in the Council of Europe.

“This year marks the 100th anniversary of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic. Unfortunately, the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic, based on the parliamentary form of government, existed for only two years. At yesterday's meeting with me, President Ilham Aliyev noted that nine European countries have signed agreements on strategic partnership with Azerbaijan. I hope the number of such states will increase. Unfortunately, the Council of Europe takes unilateral and biased decisions on Azerbaijan. Such practice must end,” said Zahradil.

Stressing the importance of stability, Jan Zahradil noted that it is impossible to achieve success without stability.

“It is gratifying that our Alliance is working closely with Azerbaijan and, despite all the difficulties, is close to it. Yesterday, we were offered to hold every year in Baku an event of the Alliance of Conservatives and Reformists in Europe. I think this is a good offer,” he mentioned.

He went on to say that Azerbaijan plays and will continue to play a very important role in geopolitical issues, transport and energy.

“Therefore, the EU and the Council of Europe attach great importance to Azerbaijan. It is true, there have been cases of adoption of unilateral decisions on Azerbaijan, but, such cases must end in the nearest future. It is necessary to put an end to turning Azerbaijan into a victim of certain political games,” the president of the Alliance said.