Ilham Aliyev reviewed progress of construction and reconstruction of the “Bulvar” recreation center on the banks of the River Kura in Yevlakh

President Ilham Aliyev has reviewed progress of construction and reconstruction of the “Bulvar” recreation center on the banks of the River Kura in Yevlakh.

The head of state was informed that the project on improving the banks of the River Kura in the city and the construction of a new boulevard here started a few years ago has successfully continued. The goal of the project is to turn the River Kura into a tourist area, facilitate pleasant recreation and introduce some new architectural elements to the city.

It was noted that in order to organize effective recreation of the city population, a “Bulvar” recreation center has been built along the right bank of the River Kura in the city of Yevlakh. It is 2,500 meters in length and covers an area of 8.2 hectares. One part of it is located along the banks and the other on stilts. During the construction, retaining walls and columns were built. The recreation area also has 22 different-size fountains, waterfalls and 86 arches on columns. The “Bulvar” recreation center has a modern lighting system and a kids area with attractions.

It was emphasized that given the interest in sports, football and volleyball grounds have been built and a beach area established. At present, the construction of a five-star hotel on the River Kura is ongoing.

In short, the conditions created at the “Bulvar” recreation center indicate that improvement and creative work in every region of Azerbaijan is the focus of the state.

After reviewing the recreation center, the President met with public figures of Yevlakh.

The head of state met and had a discussion with the local residents having rest at “Bulvar”.

Resident: Hello, Mr. President, you are welcome!

President Ilham Aliyev: Hello. Nice to see you.

Resident: How are you, Mr. President?

President Ilham Aliyev: Good, how are you doing?

Resident: We are very happy. I am here with my little grandson today. We come here on weekends. My grandson will remember this day. If I am not mistaken, this is your seventh or eight visit to Yevlakh. Each arrival gives us an incentive and strength. You always say that we shouldn’t lag behind European cities. We need to catch up not only with European cities, but also with major world cities. We are sure of that, we are going along this path with your help.

President Ilham Aliyev: Indeed. When I was here last time, repairs were still ongoing. I have already been informed. This is a great initiative. In fact, this initiative came from Yevlakh. I supported it because boulevard is a recreation area in Baku. The Baku boulevard is more than 100 years old. In recent years we have landscaped and extended the Baku boulevard from 3.5 to the current 14 km with the Flag Square. So there is wide recreation area now. I was very pleased to hear that a boulevard is being set up in Yevlakh. This is a great initiative. We must support all the wonderful initiatives. It was a wasteland, no-one came here, there was practically no coast. And now it is a beautiful recreation area. Besides, walking along the Kura is very enjoyable. Now we have both seaside and riverside boulevards. Most likely, it will be extended.

Resident: Yes, there is just a little left for the bridge. Mr. President, I am a resident of Yevlakh. Every visit of yours is a holiday for us. I often come to Baku, Mr. President, because it is home to our family and children. Believe me, every time I walked in the Baku boulevard, I had a sense of envy. But the boulevard on the banks of the River Kura where we walk with our families and grandchildren is no inferior to the Baku boulevard. The people of Yevlakh thank you for this. Please convey our greetings to Mrs. Mehriban Aliyeva. We love her and you. God bless you. Do come to Yevlakh often, Mr. President.

President Ilham Aliyev: Thank you, I will pass your greetings. I often come to Yevlakh, enquire about the situation and see that Yevlakh is undergoing extensive development, there is great creative work. You, the people of Yevlakh, will know that best.

Yevlakh is among Azerbaijan’s most developed districts. It shows that anything is possible. If there is a strong will and people on the ground work well, one can do anything and turn any corner into paradise. Now Yevlakh has not only a boulevard – of course, the boulevard will be Yevlakh’s landmark – the city is also getting younger. As president, I have been coming here for several years and see that extensive creative work and landscaping is carried out here with great taste and care.

Resident: Mr. President, you have presented us with a new Yevlakh.

President Ilham Aliyev: Indeed, beautiful buildings, nice alleys. The roads are expanding, jobs being created, a strong social infrastructure emerging, schools being built. So there is all-round development.

Of course, this development manifests itself in the construction of such beautiful holiday centers. Because everything is done for people. In remarks at a recent humanitarian forum I said this. Our policy is focused on the citizens of Azerbaijan and their prosperity. All this is done for our people. This boulevard will go down in history. It will also have a great history. Now we are saying that the Baku boulevard was built 102 years ago. The Yevlakh boulevard was established recently. This is already recorded in history. Please mark this date somewhere. Write that the Yevlakh boulevard was created at this time. People who will be walking here 100 years later will say that we have a historic boulevard, it is 100 years old. This is how history is made and countries develop.

Resident: We are very grateful, the people of Yevlakh love you. May Allah grant you a long life.

President Ilham Aliyev: Thank you, so do I. I am very glad that Yevlakh is developing.

In fact, the creative work ongoing in Yevlakh in recent years suggests that it is possible to do anything. Because, I repeat, Yevlakh is in one of the leading places in the country. This success was made possible thanks to your hard work. I have also helped, of course.

Resident: This is evidence of your attention to the people of Yevlakh, Mr. President.

President Ilham Aliyev: Yevlakh is a geographical center of our country, a strategic center. The creative work ongoing here is no inferior to the work ongoing in developed cities. In fact, I have said several times that we often spoke about “European standards”, “the need for achieving European standards”, especially in the early years of our independence. There was such a concept. But now we see that our own standards are not far behind. We can already talk of Azerbaijani standards – order, taste, cleanliness, creativity, development, landscaping. Azerbaijani standards manifest themselves in other areas too. For example, safety. I can say that Azerbaijan is one of the safest places in the world. Or economic development, social issues, the wonderful atmosphere in society, national and religious tolerance – this is an Azerbaijani model. A few days ago the participants of the Second International Humanitarian Forum also saw this development, they strive to study our experience.

So Azerbaijani standards must manifest themselves everywhere. These are the standards of modernity and development. At the same time, they are the standards of attachment to national values.

Resident: Mr. President, with your permission I would like to welcome you on behalf of all the people of Yevlakh. Welcome to our city. Every visit of yours is a holiday for us. We are very happy to see you in this beautiful boulevard. Thank you for everything you have created for us.

Indeed, the people Yevlakh have no difficulties now. We thank you for this because this has been made possible thanks to your work, care and attention.

On my own behalf I thank you again for inspiring us for work. Every visit of yours increases our love of life. This is true. I am 56 years old, but I want to live for at least another 20 years to see firsthand and participate in the wonderful days ahead. Thanks a lot. Thank you again on behalf of the people of our city, on my own behalf and on behalf of the Azerbaijani people.

You really ensure our safety. There was a time when no-one could walk alone in Yevlakh. But today I am walking with my little grandson here. In the summer months I stay here until 11-12 pm for the child to have fun. Thank you, thank you again.

President Ilham Aliyev: Thank you.

Resident: I come here with my grandchildren and great-grandchildren and walk in this beautiful park. There used to be a port here, ships used to arrive here from Baku. Now, thank God, there is a beautiful waterfront, a park, a beautiful boulevard, so I come and walk here.

Mr. President, you have returned Ramil Safarov home, recovered the body of Mubariz Ibrahimov, you stood up for them, thank you very much for that. This is evidence of your attention and care about the Azerbaijani people.

We are elderly people. We always feel your care and attention. May Allah rest the soul of our great leader! We see you as a President for life. Thank you, God bless you!

President Ilham Aliyev: Thank you! Indeed, Azerbaijan is a strong state that can defend its interests and dignity and stand up for its citizens. The return of Ramil Safarov to Azerbaijan was fair and in line with international law. It was consistent with the European Convention, the Constitution of Azerbaijan and justice. Azerbaijan must protect and protects its citizens, it must do everything possible to save them from difficult situations. We have the strength to do so. Therefore our role in the world in increasing, we have secured a rightful place on the world map.

It is no longer possible to ignore us in regional processes. And those who did not want to reckon with us saw in the end that they have to. Our policy is well-intentioned. We don’t think badly about anyone. We want all people and countries to maintain good relations. But we also want our rights to be protected, our territorial integrity to be restored, and we strive for that. At the same time, we pursue an independent policy. The source of this policy is the people of Azerbaijan and its interests. No other interests are and should be considered. To pursue an independent policy, of course, there must be a strong will, courage and economic foundations. All this is in place. But first of all, there must be unity in society, unity between the people and the government. The stronger this unity, the stronger our say in the international arena. I want this. When I appoint heads of executive authority, I certainly give certain instructions. The most important of these is to be with the people, live people's problems and make every effort to improve people’s lives.

I see this in Yevlakh. I see that local authorities work together with the citizens. This boulevard is our common creation. Of course, I have also played a role, as have local authorities and citizens. We are creating a state, building a strong state for everyone to be proud of being a citizen of Azerbaijan. The stronger we are, the better protected our position and the more secure our interests will be. All these are interrelated issues.

Today we adequately protect our interests. We are actively involved in the processes in the region and the world. Our opinion counts. Our position is crucial in regional issues and is already visible in world affairs. All that has been achieved in 20 years.

For history, 20 years is an instant.

The implementation of such a great job in 20 years is a historic victory of our people. We take into account the next 20 years.

Inshallah, we will meet 20 years later, perhaps on that side of the boulevard, because it will be slightly extended.

Resident: May Allah grant you a long life!

President Ilham Aliyev: I also see the outlines of the next 20 years. I am sure that Azerbaijan will be one of the developed countries. The standard of living will reach its highest level. Of course, prior to that all the infrastructure projects will be implemented. Our population will increase. The population is also very important. Demography is important. Our population should be 15 million, 20 million. Inshallah, we will see these days together and create an even stronger and more influential state. I have no doubt about that. To achieve this, Azerbaijan has everything – the political will, popular support, economic strength and our vision for the future.

Going back to the development in Yevlakh – we see that a lot has been done in a short time here. The district executive authority has further plans on the development of the city. Of course, the city needs to grow, it is growing, a new development concept should be prepared. Of course, all infrastructure projects must be implemented in a timely manner. A water supply project will be implemented in Yevlakh, the level of gas supply should be 100 per cent. Gas must be supplied to all the villages. Rural roads must be restored. A Central District Hospital has been built. It is a big hospital, one of the biggest in the country. We will do everything necessary, we will have many more meetings. I wish you good health and success. Thank you!

Residents: Thank you very much, thank you.

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Then a picture was taken.

Local residents expressed their appreciation to the President of Azerbaijan for the attention and care.

Then a picture was taken.