Speech by Ilham Aliyev at the farewell at the opening of a compound composed of living mansions constructed for IDP families

I congratulate you cordially. I extend my heartfelt congratulations on the occasion of opening of this beautiful and new settlement. There are very attractive buildings and nice looking flats. For the first time, tall buildings are constructed for IDPs in regions. It is not only one or two buildings. 10 five storey buildings have been constructed here. 612 families will live in these flats. I have studied the situation just now. I saw that those are very attractive and nice looking flats. All conditions are created here. We have a nice school, medical point, kindergarten. This means that all conditions and possibilities are created here for living. All public utilities such as power, water and gas pipelines are laid down here. I am confident that you will live here comfortably.

You know that Azerbaijani state makes all steps to continue the work carried out in relation to the bettering living conditions of IDPs. Special programs were adopted. The programs are being implemented and large funds have been allocated for these purposes. Tens of thousand of IDPs have moved already to new flats and houses. All tent camps were liquidated. There are already three years that the notion of a tent camp is not used in Azerbaijan. We fulfilled this task in a short period of time. Now, we build such splendid and beautiful houses to enable our fellow compatriots to live in good conditions even on temporarily basis.

Of course, financial resources and well thought policy are needed to complete this work. We dispose financial capabilities. All these houses and settlements constructed for IDPs in various regions of our country are being created thanks to the resources allocated from State Oil Fund. In fact, this is public money. As a result of implementation of oil strategy elaborated by great leader Heydar Aliyev, the State Fund was established and large incomes are accumulated already there. First appropriations were spent indeed for such purposes. Even today, there is quite a lot of resources envisaged for each year. If we would not have financial resources, we could complete this work. The existence of financial means does not mean the appropriate resolution of this issue. There is a need for political will and well forged policy. This excellent settlement is an illustrated example of the work carried out at places. We strive and will strive to ensure temporarily good living conditions for you. As a result of implementation of the State Program, additional measures will be undertaken in the future, Finish style settlements will be liquidated and our countrymen staying temporarily at schools and in the territories of military base will be also moved to new houses. We will do that and see our policy in that direction.

However, as I noted, this is a temporary living place. Following the liberation of our lands from occupation, we will build even better houses at those lands. We will restore all our cities and build new villages and settlements. As you know, Armenian aggressors destroyed almost all buildings and infrastructure in the occupied lands.

This was seen personally by OSCE Fact Finding Mission seconded on our initiative recently to those occupied areas, and currently, we await from them a fair report reflecting realities. It means that Armenians have destroyed everything at those places and demonstrated a big barbarity. We will do a great job after the liberation of our lands. Preliminary studies have been conducted already. We know that how will be our consistency. I am confident that during short period of time, we will create even more attractive and nice buildings, houses, schools and all infrastructures.

We are trying to find the soonest resolution to this issue. There are long years that our fellow compatriots are living in the conditions of refugees and IDPs. Unfortunately, Armenia which violates international norms do not respect international law and ignores the decisions of United Nations Organization. The decisions of all other international organizations support also our position and demand unconditional withdrawal of Armenian occupying forces from our lands. However, Armenian side ignores it. In such case, the option in front of us is not a numerous one: either to continue our political and diplomatic efforts by liberating our lands via converting our economic domination into the military one or to conduct talks just for the sake of talks. Azerbaijani state will never tolerate it. I would like to reiterate that we conduct our talks just to obtain the goal. Our goal is to restore international law and territorial integrity. Internationally recognized territory integrity of Azerbaijan should be restored. This constitutes our goal. We use and should use various opportunities to hit the target. This is our sovereign right. We want to solve the issue by talks and peace. However, it seems that Armenian side wishes only to delay it and a new stage in negotiation process starts again. We wait for the answer of Armenia related to the proposed issues. If there will be no positive answer, we will make, of course, changes in our policy.

Besides that, it is not a secret that we develop successfully our army building process. Our military might is increasing. Our defense capabilities are strong. Spirit of patriotism and professionalism are at high level. I do not doubt that our Armed Forces can fulfill their task with courage and in a short period of time. I do not doubt that we will restore our territorial integrity. The truth and history demand it that way, and today, the forces balance hints at that stance.

Armenia will never be able to compete with Azerbaijan. And, today, it is not possible and the gap between us will go even deeper after several years. As a state, the only and sole main task for us is to restore our territory integrity. There is no more important issue in front of us than this one. We have mobilized all efforts to fulfill this task. This is our national cause. The entire Azerbaijani people united its efforts to hit this target and of course, our force will be more influential and our steps will be more serious. Therefore, if Armenians would loot slightly at the future, so they can notice that such an aggressive policy has no future. Simply, this will be solved by the matter of time, as well as increasing force of Azerbaijan and the Army. I do not doubt it and confident that we will bring our lands back. Today, our countrymen living in the conditions of refugees and IDPs will return to their native lands.

For the time being, we do all we can to facilitate your living conditions. Such nice and splendid houses are constructed here. I hope that you will run a comfortable life here. But I know that you and your younger generation will never forget and do not forget your native lands. Today, a young generation is growing. They did not see their native lands. In spite of that, they live also with a dream to return there. Azerbaijani people will never forget its native lands and will never tolerate this situation. The opposite side and mediators dealing with this issue know it.

I greet and congratulate you cordially once again and wish you good health and happiness. I wish to see everything to be good in your life.