Azernews.Az

By Aynur Jafarova

Azerbaijan's ruling party on June 7 nominated its chairman, President Ilham Aliyev as its candidate to run for presidency at this year's elections in October, AzerTac state news agency reported.

President Aliyev, who was warmly welcomed by the delegates, made a keynote speech at the opening of the event.

Highlighting the history of Yeni Azerbaijan Party, President Aliyev said this is a truly great event because YAP plays a central role in the political life of Azerbaijan.

"The decisions and the activities of the party have a strong influence on the successful development of our country," President Aliyev said. "The Yeni Azerbaijan Party is the leading political force in Azerbaijan and the biggest party of the South Caucasus. Our party has been in power for 20 years. In a week from now we will celebrate the Day of National Salvation. The Day of National Salvation was a turning point in the modern history of Azerbaijan. Over the last 20 years our party has overwhelmingly won every election. The Yeni Azerbaijan Party is a truly people's party. All categories and age groups of our society are united by our party and work for the successful development of our country."

President Aliyev noted the activities of YAP founder, national leader Heydar Aliyev and the party's role in the life of the country and its people, and said that the party has now become even stronger.

"The party now numbers more than 600,000 people. This in itself is an indicator that the goals and ideas of the party are very attractive. In particular, it is very encouraging that young people are joining the party. This shows that the activities, ideas of the party and its role in society appeal to people, and the activities of the party enjoy great popular support," the President said.

President Aliyev went on to say that the main ideological pillars of the Yeni Azerbaijan Party are independence, Azerbaijanism, modernity, development, and social well-being, economic and political reforms.

Aliyev said that over the past 10 years Azerbaijan has developed at the fastest pace in the world.

"In 2003-2013, Azerbaijan managed to achieve the biggest success in the international arena by being elected a member of the UN Security Council, the world's top organization. It is a victory and triumph of our diplomacy, policy and statehood. There is no higher organization in the world. And in May of last year, Azerbaijan chaired this influential organization," he said.

President Aliyev also highlighted Azerbaijan's economic achievements.

"For 10 years, thanks to the economic reforms, we have achieved the most rapid economic development in the world. It is impossible to find a second country where the economy has grown more than three times in 10 years and other statistics are also at the highest level. This can serve as an example for any country.

"And we plan our future. We are already realizing the 'Azerbaijan 2020: vision for the future' concept. We look to the future. The projects ongoing in Azerbaijan are aimed at the future. We must ensure successful and sustainable development of our country in the decades to come. And I have no doubt that we will achieve that," the President said.

Touching on social issues, President Aliyev said that "at the center of our policy are the citizens of Azerbaijan."

"The reforms carried out in Azerbaijan are fundamental reforms that are of a very serious nature. We know from history and the developments unfolding in some countries that in many cases drastic economic reforms lead to mass protests because they are often carried out at people's expense. We have completed the economic reform - today 83 percent of our economy is generated by the private sector. At the same time, we have implemented strong social programs," the head of state said.

All these efforts certainly enhance the authority of the Yeni Azerbaijan Party in society, the President said.

"The Yeni Azerbaijan Party has no serious rivals in the political firmament. This is a reality, and not because we create problems for someone or enjoy any special privileges. We operate within the same framework as any other political force. The work we have done, the reforms, the growing living standards, our strengthening international positions further increase the people's confidence in us," he said.

Speaking about the goals of YAP, Aliyev said the primary goals are to build a powerful Azerbaijan, to enhance the independence, development and social well-being.

"The goals on the country's agenda can be successfully met under the leadership of the Yeni Azerbaijan Party in the future too. Of course, the primary goal among these is the Armenian-Azerbaijani Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. Our position is principled. I have repeatedly stated this. The Azerbaijani people and the Yeni Azerbaijan Party unequivocally support this position. The territorial integrity of Azerbaijan is not and never will be a subject to negotiations. Nagorno-Karabakh is native Azerbaijani land. This is the case today and so it will be tomorrow. Azerbaijan will restore its sovereignty and territorial integrity at any cost."

President Aliyev said the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict can be resolved only on the basis of the principles of international law and the four UN Security Council resolutions, referring to the documents which urge an unconditional pullout of Armenian armed forces from the occupied territories of Azerbaijan.

"No other option is considered. No other option can be acceptable," he said.

President Aliyev said further, "All the elections in Armenia are rigged, while political struggle there leads to bloody tragedies. This is a terrorist country which is run by terrorist and gangster methods. Under such circumstances, the longer the current criminal authorities remain in power there, the sooner Armenia will suffer a complete fiasco."

Speaking about domestic policy, Aliyev said democracy will be further developed in Azerbaijan.

"Freedom of speech, freedom of conscience, freedom of religion, freedom of assembly - all of these freedoms exist in Azerbaijan. There is a free internet in Azerbaijan, no restrictions are imposed. For us, the development of democracy is the main goal. Today, Azerbaijan is not inferior to anyone in terms of democratic development. In some cases, the democratic situation here can and should serve as an example for other countries," he said.

Regarding economic development, President Aliyev said the main focus is on diversification.

"We are reducing our dependence on the oil factor. This year, the oil sector already forms a minority in our gross domestic product. In other words, diversification has taken place and the industrialization process will go even faster in the future.

Aliyev said Azerbaijan plays a major role in the transport security.

"The completion of the construction of the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway will change the transport map of the region, continent and beyond. And Azerbaijan is the initiator and the main partner here too. All the steps associated with our energy policy are taken prudently. As for the issues of energy security within the country, we have fully resolved them. We as partners are working with Europe to address the energy security issues of the continent. Azerbaijan is a major player, the main initiator of the Southern Gas Corridor. The decisions adopted in Azerbaijan will give an impetus to all the issues related to energy security in the future. It is our great success and great responsibility.

"We have no hesitation or doubts about our future development. Azerbaijan will confidently and successfully move forward," President Aliyev said.

Following his speech, President Aliyev was unanimously re-elected chairman of the Yeni Azerbaijan Party.

At the Congress, Azerbaijan's First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva was elected a deputy chairperson of the party.

President of the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences Akif Alizade, member of the Parliament Ali Ahmadov and Chairman of the State Committee for the Affairs of Refugees and IDPs Ali Hasanov were elected as other deputies of the YAP Chairman.

The party also approved its 90-member Political Council, 21-member Board and 15-member Central Supervision and Inspection Commission.

President Aliyev made closing remarks at the event to thank the party members for their trust in him, and vowed to justify this confidence.