The beginning of successful welfare

Heydar Aliyev's return to the government in 1993 upon the will and request of the people laid the foundation for the dramatic changes in the political and economic life of Azerbaijan. Heydar Aliyev's return to the Azerbaijani leadership identified the implementation of economic reforms, transition to market economy, foundation of economic development, integration of Azerbaijan into the global economy, privatization programme and implementation of agrarian reforms as the key priorities.

Genius leader Heydar Aliyev, who managed to prevent big disasters in Azerbaijan, initiated the conduction of measures for the economic growth of the country. First Vice President of SOCAR, MP Ilham Aliyev was from the very first days involved in the process of negotiations and became the most active participant in the development and successful accomplishment of the new oil strategy. He adhered to the following brief and strong idea in his activity: "Our objective is not only to produce oil, to transport it and get incomes. We must use the oil revenues, also political, economic and other incomes to ensure the interests and welfare of the people.” Realization of this contract is bright reflection of implementation of oil strategy prepared by Heydar Aliyev, which is the basis to the economic development concept of independent Azerbaijan. To Heydar Aliyev, the major idea of his oil strategy was more effective use of rich natural resources of Azerbaijan for prosperity of the people. The first international oil contract reflecting economic sovereignty of Azerbaijan laid the foundation of dynamic economic development of the country and its practical results are visible today. Participation of Azerbaijan in big international projects, restoration of great Silk Road, passage of transport corridors from Azerbaijani territory is the outcome of implementation of Heydar Aliyev’s oil strategy.

All these achievements were not gained easily. Building independent partnership relations with foreign states was of great importance for Azerbaijan, which had weak independence traditions at the time and lands of which were under occupation. Every country to be involved in the contract, particularly influential Western states had to act as an additional guarantor for Azerbaijan’s sovereign rights and state independence. Russia and Iran had specific position concerning hydrocarbon resources of Azerbaijan’s Caspian sector and sector division of the Sea. Involving foreign states in the Caspian oil-gas projects, Azerbaijan was trying to have their support, use their power to defeat pressures from Iran and Russia. Azerbaijan was searching for international partners in the Armenian-Azerbaijani, Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. In this sense, Caspian oil could be very important factor to conform interests of Azerbaijan and Western states, establish partnership relationships. Thus, due to active diplomacy of Heydar Aliyev, Azerbaijan could achieve a fundamental change in the attitude of democratic states and leading public organizations of the world towards the armed conflict, which it is involved in by use of force.

BTC – reality of the legend of 3 seas

One of the major tools lifting the geopolitical importance of the Republic of Azerbaijan, ensuring its national interests is related to the factor of oil in the world. Location of Azerbaijan in the geographic space rich in oil resources was correctly evaluated by national leader Heydar Aliyev in the 1990s and the oil strategy of the state was directed to the national interest. Construction of BTC made the legend of 3 seas real. Addressing the opening ceremony of conference of the legend of 3 seas in Istanbul on June 25, 2002, Heydar Aliyev said: “I see, it was impossible to imagine we will come from Caspian Sea to Black Sea and will move from there till Mediterranean Sea. The 2000 km long huge oil pipeline is under construction. It is a legend indeed.” On May 25, 2005, the Azerbaijan segment of BTC main export oil pipeline was launched. Making a speech in the ceremony of opening, President Ilham Aliyev said: “BTC oil pipeline will play a significant role in the assurance of cooperation, peace, security in the region.”

Launch of BTC in 2006 changed Azerbaijani oil to an important factor in the global market, and Azerbaijan gave its first contribution to the assurance of international energy security.

Beside a technical-economic significance, BTC oil pipeline has a big political importance. This pipeline brings nations of Azerbaijan, Georgia and Turkey closer, brings peace and stability to the region, strengthens security, positions of these countries in the world.

The energy policy of our republic serves the region’s political and economic development and prosperity. As the world’s biggest energy project, BTC was a pretty serious step towards the assurance of the global energy security.

“Frozen” conflict

As a result of Armenia’s aggressive policy 20% of our republic’s territory has been occupied, more than a million of our compatriots were displaced from native lands. Historically Azerbaijani lands, our tangible and cultural riches are for years under the occupation of the enemy. 

However, after ceasefire was declared our republic made good use of this opportunity:

- Such global energy project as BTC oil pipeline was realized;

- Firm and sustainable political stability was established in the republic;

- With an independent foreign policy Azerbaijan reinforced its international relations, became leader in South Caucasus.

The principles Azerbaijan adheres to for the resolution of the conflict, theses reflected in the statements our state makes are as follows:

- The conflict must be settled within the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan;

- Relations with Armenia can be established after refugees and IDPs return home;

- Azerbaijan guarantees security of Armenian nation to be settled in Nagorno-Karabakh;

- Nagorno-Karabakh can have an access to Armenia via corridor;

- The status of highest autonomy can be granted to Nagorno-Karabakh and this issue can be discussed in future.

Insincere approach of OSCE Minsk group members to the process of solution of the conflict, their efforts to pursue own geopolitical interests do not deny the alternative of war. The historical speech President Ilham Aliyev delivered at PACE on June 24, 2014 declared to the world that no compromise will be made in this affair. And it is no coincidence that the military-strategic resources of our country are mobilized for the formation of army, a strong defence power is created, military-technical and personnel potential of the armed forces are strengthened. 

Caspian policy of the Republic of Azerbaijan

Governed by the principles of friendly neighborhood, respect to mutual sovereign rights, recognition of territorial integrity, the Republic of Azerbaijan is considered the party making the most constructive suggestion in the development of the convention on the legal status of Caspian. Caspian Sea should reportedly be divided into the respective sectors the sovereign rights and jurisdiction of the coastal states concern, according to the conceptual position of Azerbaijan. Division of the Sea into sectors among the coastal states should be accomplished on the basis of the middle line principles, the experience formed in this sea, the accepted principles of international law and application of sovereign rights of the coastal states in the Sea. According to the position of the Republic of Azerbaijan:

a) Caspian is not an open sea, since it does not have a direct access to the ocean;

b) Caspian is not a closed sea, since it has a natural access to the ocean;

c) Caspian is not an internal sea, an internal reservoir and an internal lake, as it is not located within one state;

d) Caspian is a frontier lake located among 5 states.     

According to the conceptual attitude of the Republic of Azerbaijan, as an international border lake Caspian Sea should be divided into respective sectors the complete sovereignty of the coastal states should be related to. 

According to the suggestion of the Republic of Azerbaijan, sectors of Caspian Sea are created as a result of setting the external boundary of respective sectors of the middle line and considered the state frontier of the Caspian states. Any action of any Caspian state in the sector of other coastal state can be carried out only upon the consent of the latter.

The Republic of Azerbaijan suggests the division of Caspian, as a frontier lake, into sectors among the coastal states, and those sectors should be a part of sovereign territories of the coastal states. 

Having restored its independence, the Republic of Azerbaijan declared its position, based on international law, despite all pressures and non-constructive suggestions of the Russian Federation, which always tries to keep it dependent, and has always held this position. Taking the principles of international law into consideration in the energy projects performed in its sector of Caspian, the Republic of Azerbaijan has been governed by the common national interests of the region states as well and controls today the observance of these principles and interests.

Who are we?

Every nation faces interference in its history. Directing a nation has always been a priority goal to foreign forces. Lifting own desires up to the level of the desire of any nation, basically using its youth in this direction is already the half of the job. Because youth is a motive force of society. But there are nations, which never forget own past, never quit own moral values.

A question can be raised what makes these nations stand up despite so many pressures. Of course, greatness, values of a nation, love for motherland and nation. 

The reason why we are free and strong today is certainly the above mentioned reasons.

Then who are we?

We are the patriot youth of modern Azerbaijan, to which love for nation is always superior to everything, which do their best to further develop Azerbaijan, believe in the future.

It is youth, which do not forget their history and are proud of their past, work for the interest of their nation and state, wherever they live, whose heart beat with love for nation and homeland. 

Today, everyone is aware of the deeds our damned neighbor does against our state and nation. The enemies, which used to call us friend in due time and hit us from behind at the first opportunity, go on by the same tactics. The substance and form of their action against us have changed somehow, however the priority task is implementing a black PR against Azerbaijan and its people and introducing them to the world as a barbarian people.  

Of course, present development of Azerbaijan, varied international events held in the country, participation of Azerbaijani intellectuals and youth in international events, successful propaganda works on Azerbaijan and governmental support to youth in this direction destructed the stereotypes created in due time on Azerbaijan and Azerbaijanis.  

Certainly, efforts of President Ilham Aliyev, who always renders support to Azerbaijani youth, cannot be denied. In his appeal to youth, the President always recommends youth to be educated, useful for nation and state, noting the state will always support them. We – Azerbaijani youth will do our best to justify the belief of the President in us. 

Tolerant country

Hosting the dialogue of cultures for the second time, Azerbaijan, a bridge between East and West, reflecting rich history and culture of centuries, has proved to be a place where different cultures encounter, intercultural solidarity is safeguarded. The idea to hold the forum was suggested just by Azerbaijan, which obviously proves tolerance dominates in our country.  

Azerbaijan has a unique multinational model ruled by religious common life. Throughout centuries Azerbaijan has been a unified state for all nations and religions in these territories. Today, national minorities and ethnic groups live in the true sense of the word as one family in Azerbaijan. One of the factors stimulating Azerbaijan’s successful development is abolition of any kind of discrimination against other nations, protection of stable environment. Representatives of other nations and religions feel like an equal citizen of Azerbaijan.    

The 2nd World Intercultural Dialogue Forum showed except preparing a base to holding the intercultural dialogue, Azerbaijan also makes contributions to the universal culture, mutual exchange of civilizations. Held under the motto “Peaceful common life in multicultural world”, the Forum brought together world famous representatives from up to 100 countries. Participants witnessed Azerbaijan’s development and achievements, confirmed it in their speeches. The main partners of the Forum are UNESCO, UN Civilizations Alliance, CoE, CoE North-South Centre, ISESCO, World Tourism Organization. This indicates the Forum’s importance and necessity that is recognized by the world community. The Forum proved conflicts, serious dangers can be settled via mutual exchange of views, understanding. Also the Forum demonstrated the solution of a number of problems can be reached only with common struggle and efforts, and achievements can be gained through common understanding and bringing states together for existence of the desirable future.  

Such a high level forum allows countries across the world to build mutual cooperative relations with each other in different spheres. The Forum is a successful continuation of the policy of Azerbaijan to integrate into the modern world by joining the new initiatives in all spheres as a strong, trusty and desirable partner. The Forum provided an opportunity to get much more information on Azerbaijan’s rich history, culture, economy, in short, about the realities of Azerbaijan. Participants of the Forum valued Azerbaijan as a tolerant country, expressed opinions on Azerbaijan’s rapid and stable socioeconomic development. All this show the long-term successful policy of Azerbaijan directed for the future has results and is always the focus of international attention.   

As a result, peace, tranquility and stability are related first of all to relationships between peoples and cultures based on mutual respect. Held at the initiative of President Ilham Aliyev, the Forum was a humanist challenge calling on to understanding, mutual cooperation and common discussions among states. The Forum will definitely play an important role in the propaganda of intercultural dialogue, contribute to the enhancement of intercultural relations.