Today Europe face with separatism as well. See which steps were taken against separatism in the European countries. Our problem is aggressive separatism. Armenian Armed Forces committed genocides, occupied Azerbaijan’s historical territories and forcibly drove peaceful people out their homelands. Armenians deal with illegal activity in those occupied Azerbaijani lands. I am sure that Azerbaijan will restore its territorial integrity. We have all opportunities for this and the events happened in previous year once prove it. The territorial integrity of Azerbaijan is as valuable as the territorial integrity of all other countries.

Despite the great difficulties, our country successfully develops. We became reliable partner in the international arena. A few years ago, we were elected a member of the UN Security Council with the votes of 155 countries. It was our great political victory. Serious economic reforms are underway in Azerbaijan.”

The president said that Azerbaijan is a country, which has economically developed fast in the world within the last 14 years. “Our economy, the gross domestic product has increased more than three times. We conduct very serious reforms and as a result, the unemployment and poverty are 5% in Azerbaijan. Great investments are made in human capital. Over 3,000 schools, more than 600 medical institutions were built or repaired, 12,000 km highway was constructed in the last 14 years. International financial institutions highly appreciate the reforms conducted in Azerbaijan. It is enough to mention only one figure to imagine that. Azerbaijan ranked 35th in the Global Competitiveness Report 2017-2018 published by the World Economic Forum (WEF). This is a great sign and we have reached this level due to not only energy resources.

Of course, Azerbaijan uses energy resources effectively. However, competitiveness of the countries is measured by other parameters. I know that the society has optimist opinions about future development of our country. Energy projects, the $40 billion-Southern Gas Corridor and other projects will support the long-term development of our country’.

The head of state noted that Azerbaijan becomes a very significant transport hub in the region: ‘BTK connected Asia and Europe. Now, we are working on the North-South transport corridor. There are certain results. We are expecting next results by the year-end. This corridor may be launched within two or three years. This means that the railways both from east to west and north to south will pass through Azerbaijan’s territory. This will bring extra benefit to us. This will also contribute to the regional cooperation. I’m sure that this will have positive impact on the topic of today’s conference. Because I think that speaking in interfaith and intercultural dialogue is not sufficient. There must be concrete projects, concrete interests. The projects we are implementing in the region fully meet these mutual interests’.

“Currently, we are working on “North-South” transport corridor. We have achieved very important results in this direction. We expect to obtain results until next year. Probably, we will be able to put this road to use in a short span of time. Thus, railways will pass from North to South and vice versa and East to West and vice versa through the territory of Azerbaijan. This will bring economic benefits and political dividends. In addition, it will have a positive impact on the regional cooperation, as well as on the theme of our conference.

Of course, we have all these achievements together with our neighbors. Every country that wants to be a transit should have a close relationship with its neighbors. We have established very close relationships with our neighbors. Of course, it also has a positive impact on regional security and stability. In short, I think that Azerbaijan played very important role in the development of intercultural dialogue and strengthening of the Islamic solidarity during the years of its independence. We will continue this way further”.

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