Ilham Aliyev: Azerbaijan will become even stronger

Baku / 18.04.18 / Turan: The path noted by Heydar Aliyev is the only right way, according to which, over the past 15 years, the country has achieved great success. The head of state, Ilham Aliyev, said at the inauguration ceremony on April 18. Among the indicators of success, he called "freedom and stability." "We have ensured all freedom - freedom of speech, freedom of the press, freedom of assembly, freedom of political activity. Today, 80% of Azerbaijani citizens use the Internet, which is free," he said.

Touching upon the presidential race, he said that there was a rather sharp criticism in the speeches of the candidates. "I welcome this, I regard it as a positive development. The issues raised by the candidates will be carefully considered and valuable proposals will be taken into account," Aliyev said. Further, he accused the opposition, calling it an "anti-national group".

"They are completely marginalized, and these elections once again showed that they have no place in the political arena of Azerbaijan. The people have long defined their place - this is a dump of history. These elements are national traitors who oppose the state and operate at the expense of foreign grants. The Azerbaijani people will never allow the faction, controlled from abroad, to take any position in the country," Aliyev said.

Further, he promised to continue measures to strengthen the army, which for the past 15 years have been accelerated. Today, the Azerbaijani army is among the strong armies of the world in equipping, armament, technology, combat capability.

"The April fights are our glorious history, our great victory. The Azerbaijani army liberated a part of the lands of Agderinsk, Fizuli and Dzhabrail districts from the occupants, we control thousands of hectares of territories. Life returns to these lands, the Azerbaijani flag flies on these lands.

The Azerbaijani people will never reconcile with the occupation, and we will liberate our lands," he said. Touching upon the Karabakh settlement, he noted that they should be based on the resolutions of the UN Security Council. "We bring to the attention of the world community that not only Karabakh, but also modern Armenia are on the historical lands of Azerbaijan. There is evidence to this. We underwent several deportations, which the world community should be informed about, "Aliyev said.

The conflict should be resolved only within the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan. "We will never allow the establishment of a second Armenian state," he said. In conclusion, Aliyev promised to continue the fight against corruption.

"Administrative, punitive measures and the most effective institutional measures of a system nature are taken. Among them, "Asan Xidmət" takes a special place, its functions are constantly expanding, "Aliyev said.-05D06-