The 5th News Agencies World Congress, the 16th General Assembly of the Organization of Asia-Pacific News Agencies (OANA) and the 22nd session of the Council of CIS Heads of News Agencies have kicked off in the Heydar Aliyev Center in Baku.


Communication, cooperation, multiculturalism, mutual understanding and mutual respect, that is what Azerbaijan is trying to promote, said Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev.

He made the remarks in his opening speech at the 5th News Agencies World Congress in Baku, Nov. 16.

"I am not going to talk about what media should do, you know better, that`s none of my business. But as a head of state and politician, I am sure there must be very serious detailed analysis of the role of media in international events," said Ilham Aliyev.

He noted that the role of media grows day after day, and so grows the responsibility.

"Many times we`ve witnessed that some events that happen, and which are covered, create a lot of tensions, bloodshed, confrontation. Thus, the support of the media, news agencies and other media in promotion of values of cooperation is very important," he said.

"It will give politicians more chances to advocate for universal values. It will give chance to all of us to be more consistent and active in promotion of this, because sometimes what we read, what we see in the media, is different from reality," said Ilham Aliyev.

"I can tell from my personal experience. Of course president of any country has enough sources of correct information, but sometimes watching different international media, I find out that the same event is interpreted completely differently with respect to who is presenting this event.

Therefore, said the president, "we see a lot of politically motivated coverage of the save events", whether it is Middle East, wars, Europe or post-Soviet area.

"The same event is interpreted completely differently, he said. "And of course we can see political motivation and also probably, to a certain degree, interference of political circles in framing the agenda of what can should be presented, and what should not."

Ilham Aliyev expressed hope that the Baku World News Congress will address these important issues.

"We are all in favor of free media, we all need to have true information," he said. "Especially countries like Azerbaijan, who for 70 years lived in Soviet Union, where there was only one official policy, one ideology and we didn`t have access to any information."

"Other countries, and people, they have the right to know what is really happening. I am sure you will address these issues and the Baku congress will be an important step in your activity. Once again, I `d like to welcome you to our country, and I am very glad and proud that we are hosting such an important global event, and I wish the congress success."

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14: 00

Today Azerbaijan is a modern, developing, self-sufficient country with strong diversified economy, with a very high level of social protection, said Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev.

He made the remarks in his opening speech at the 5th News Agencies World Congress in Baku, Nov. 16.

"All our economic programs were implemented, some of them even before schedule. Azerbaijan`s economy grew more than 3 times in the last 13 years," said the president. "We managed to cope with poverty, which is now at the level of 5 percent, and unemployment is almost at the same level."

President Aliyev went on to say that international organizations, reliable organizations, have a very high rank for Azerbaijan.

"For instance, the Davos World Economic Forum ranks Azerbaijan at #37, with respect to the competitiveness of economy. It shows that our economy is competitive, diversified, and not based on one source, which is energy," IlhamAliyev said.

"Therefore, further diversification of economy, the economic reforms, in the future will create even more opportunities for sustainable development of our country,"said the president. "And Azerbaijan, I am sure, in the coming years, will only become stronger and stronger."

He went on to say that Azerbaijan shows efforts to create broad regional cooperation, based on shared mutual interests.

"In particular in the area of energy and transportation, our initiatives already bring good results," he said. "Energy projects initiated by Azerbaijan in mid 90s, already brought a lot of prosperity to our region."

Ilham Aliyev went on to add that Azerbaijan was the first country to connect huge energy resources of the Caspian Sea with international markets, in particular noting the connection between Caspian, Black, Mediterranean seas by diversified pipeline system.

"That was one of the main achievements of Azerbaijan," he said.

"Today we work on the global energy project, which is called the Southern Gas Corridor," he said. "It will allow us to be a reliable exporter of natural gas to many countries. The cost of this project is around $45 billion, and Azerbaijan plays a leading role in implementation of this project."

The president went on to add that Azerbaijan today has established a very close cooperation with seven countries, the members of the project, and more countries are to join in the coming years.

"It will allow us to satisfy our demands to become a big gas exporter. It will allow the transitors and customers to have additional sources of energy, which all the countries need to develop their economy and industry," Ilham Aliyev said.

"Our energy policy is based on our national interests, and on cooperation," he said. "In this area Azerbaijan also demonstrates a very responsible approach, based, as I said before, on shared interests. All the members of the project must have their share of profit and we consider energy cooperation as an area which can unite, not alienate, countries."

"I think achievements in this area are already worth to be examined. The same can be applied to our initiatives to create reliable transportation corridors," said the president.

He said that Azerbaijan has an advantageous geographic location, but without infrastructure this location doesn`t mean much.

"Therefore, our efforts were aimed at establishing the regional cooperation on the areas of transportation. Particularly, the East-West corridor, which is almost completed," said the president, adding that some tests have already been carried, with cargo trains crossing Azerbaijan from Asia to Europe.

Ilham Aliyev also named the North-South corridor, which is under implementation, adding that Azerbaijan took very important measures and steps in implementing this corridor.

"If you look at the map, you can see that both of these corridors will generate a lot of additional activity. It will stimulate growth, stimulate industrial development, allow companies and countries to export their goods and save time. North-South and East-West corridors for companies that send their cargoes, will save at least 2 weeks time," the president said.

He went on to add that such projects need investments.

"And we invest, also provide financial assistance to other partners in order to implement this project. This is aimed at regional cooperation, predictability, and also of course, at economic benefits and security. Because without security in the region, none of the projects I`ve mentioned can be implemented," the president said.

He went on to say that the security concerns are growing, as "situation around us becomes more and more tense". President Aliyev added that new sources of concern, such as threats, bloodshed, confrontation, wars, emerge, and this is of big concern.

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13:12

Azerbaijan`s energy cooperation is based on national interests, said Azerbaijan`s President Ilham Aliyev.

The president made the remarks at the opening ceremony of the 5th News Agencies World Congress and the 16th General Assembly of the Organization of Asia-Pacific News Agencies (OANA) in Baku Nov. 16.

President Aliyev noted that the diversification of Azerbaijan`s economy continues, and it does not depend on a single source.

“About 45 billion dollars were invested in the Southern Gas Corridor project, which will allow Azerbaijan to become a major gas exporter,” he said.

Stressing the importance of Azerbaijan`s geographical location, the president aid there is a need to create an appropriate infrastructure.

President Aliyev said he believed the North–South and East–West Corridor will expand the export and transit potential of Azerbaijan.

“We are investing in the implementation of this project. Without security, none of these projects can be implemented. We are concerned over the ongoing wars and conflicts around the world,” he added.

Azerbaijan`s policy, according to the president, is of great importance for the entire region.

Baku hosted the first European Games in 2015, President Aliyev recalled, adding. “Azerbaijan is due to host the Islamic Solidarity Games in 2017. Without the media support, it`s impossible to hold such a major sporting event.”

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13:12

Azerbaijan`s history, traditions, multicultural development of our nation is a good example of how relations between different countries, civilizations, different religions, can be properly planned and organized, said Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev.

He made the remarks in his opening speech at the 5th News Agencies World Congress in Baku, Nov. 16.

"Azerbaijan is a good example of multiculturalism," said the president. "By the way, this year in Azerbaijan is declared the Year of Multiculturalism. It is our state policy. At the same time, it is also the general mood in our society. We organize numerous international events, among them - the annual Baku Humanitarian Forum, Intercultural Dialogue forum. This year we hosted the 7th Global Forum of the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations," said Ilham Aliyev.

The president went on to add that an important sign of Azerbaijan`s achievements in this area was the September visit of the head of the Roman Catholic Church, Pope Francis, to Azerbaijan.

"He visited the catholic church, Azerbaijani mosques, he met with representatives of all the leaders of religious communities of Azerbaijan," said the president. "He delivered a message from Baku, from this hall, to the world, about the values of intercultural, interreligious dialogue."


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11: 19

President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev is taking part in the opening ceremony.

Addressing the opening ceremony, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev noted that almost two hundred guests from 80 countries representing more than hundred of the world`s leading news agencies from five continents, have gathered in Baku, for the 5th World News Agencies Congress.

"This is a big honor for us to host this important global international event, and I am sure that our guests will not only discuss the important issues on the agenda, but also know more about Azerbaijan, see the development of the country," said the president.

He added that the country is modern, dynamic and which has great potential for the future.

"We consider hosting this event in Azerbaijan also a sign of appreciation of the activity and achievements of Azerbaijan in the development of independent media," the president said. "This is one of the priorities for our government."

"I think that the achievements during the 25 years of independence show that we managed to provide freedom of media, as well as all other fundamental freedoms," said the president.

"Today, in Azerbaijan there are almost fourty daily, more than two hundred weekly and monthly newspapers, ten nationwide, one satellite, thirteen regional, seventeen cable TV," he said.

President Aliyev added that Azerbaijan is a country with completely free Internet, and more than 75 percent of population are internet users. He added that the population of the country is close to ten million, and there are two million social media users in Azerbaijan.

"So these figures show that development of free media in Azerbaijan was very successful, we achieved our goal and one of the areas of transformation for our country during these 25 years, along with political and economic reforms, was the area of reforms in democratic development," Ilham Aliyev said.

"Last month we celebrated the 25th anniversary of restoration of our independence. Restoration, because the first democratic republic of Azerbaijan was established almost a hundred years ago in 1918," said the president.

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