The presidential elections are considered the end of one era and the beginning of a new one. In September of the previous year, the sovereignty of our country was fully restored, and the separatist regime in Karabakh ceased to exist. A very important period in the history of Azerbaijan has ended.
We entered 2024 as a people who have fully restored their sovereignty. A new era of our modern history began on September 20, after a successful anti-terrorist operation. This operation, lasting less than a day, ended with the complete Victory of the Azerbaijani army. The separatist regime was defeated and surrendered, raising the white flag.
Another significant moment is the completion of President Ilham Aliyev’s 20-year tenure. The elections also marked the end of this unprecedented period and received high praise from the people.
Grand Achievements of Two Decades
In 2003, at a crucial moment in the history of our independence, the Azerbaijani people made the right choice by electing President Ilham Aliyev – a worthy successor to our great leader, thereby voting for the continuation of Heydar Aliyev’s policy. If historical processes had gone in another direction, who could imagine the dangers our people and state would have faced. This once again confirms the axiom that without a strong leader and thoughtful policy, no country, especially such a young independent country as Azerbaijan, can assert itself, develop, and gain authority on the international stage.
The history of the last 20 years is evident. We are all living witnesses to the unprecedented development that has occurred during this period. We have seen firsthand what Azerbaijan was and what it has become today. This period was marked by dynamic economic development, constant improvement in the welfare of the people, and radical reforms implemented in all areas.
The 20-year tenure of Ilham Aliyev as the President of Azerbaijan has entered the history of our country as an era of revival. President Ilham Aliyev has fulfilled all the promises he made over the last 20 years at a high level.
At the peak of two decades, equal to a century, of course, stands the Patriotic War, which ended with the liberation of our occupied lands and the restoration of territorial integrity. The Karabakh Victory, achieved under the leadership of President, victorious Supreme Commander-in-Chief Ilham Aliyev, has forever entered the heroic chronicle of our people. Our lands, occupied for almost thirty years, were liberated in 44 days. Azerbaijan itself implemented the UN Security Council resolutions, which had remained on paper for 27 years. Thus, Azerbaijan became a victorious country, and our people became a victorious nation. Thanks to this Victory, new realities were created in the region.
The glorious Patriotic War revealed another leadership quality of President Ilham Aliyev – military talent. One of the important factors that led to the Victory was the flexible policy of the President of Azerbaijan on the diplomatic front. During the war, the head of state gave up to thirty interviews to foreign media, which played an important role in conveying the truth about the conflict and Karabakh to the international community.
On September 19, 2023, local anti-terrorist activities initiated by our valiant Army in Karabakh were inscribed in our military history as another bright page, and the set goals were achieved in less than 24 hours. At the same time, this, as a logical result of determination and wise decisions stemming from the political will of President Ilham Aliyev, demonstrated the strength and determination to victory of our people, united around their leader as an “iron fist.”
Grand Steps Towards the Great Return
President Ilham Aliyev – a leader-creator shows incredible determination and persistence in carrying out the Great Return to the liberated territories. All the work carried out is aimed at improving the welfare of the citizens of Azerbaijan.
Life is being revived in the liberated territories: alongside infrastructure facilities, residential complexes and school buildings are being constructed and put into operation, and the foundations of new ones are being laid. All this testifies to the broad prospects of the Great Return. In a short period, 1,360 families or 5,354 people were resettled to the liberated territories. They were fortunate to vote for the first time in the presidential elections in their native lands.
The rapid restoration of cities and villages destroyed by the enemy continues, and grand steps are being taken towards the Great Return. In the next three years, it is planned to resettle 140,000 people to the liberated cities and villages.
These works, requiring huge resources and effort, Azerbaijan performs only at its own expense, without any external assistance. This is also an indicator of the growing economic power of our country year by year.
Transnational Projects Bringing Azerbaijan Political and Economic Dividends
Over the last 20 years, Azerbaijan has signed numerous major transnational projects. Let’s mention some of them.
On July 13, 2006, the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline was inaugurated, and on December 15 of the same year, the first well at the Shah Deniz field was put into operation. On September 20, 2014, the 20th anniversary of the “Contract of the Century,” the foundation of the “Southern Gas Corridor” project was laid in Sangachal.
Following the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline, as a result of intense and successful activity and consistent efforts of President Ilham Aliyev, transnational gas arteries such as Baku-Tbilisi-Erzurum, TANAP, TAP were created. Thus, a new panorama was formed on the world energy map.
In 2017, as a result of the personal efforts of President Ilham Aliyev, a new era began in the development of the Azeri-Chirag-Guneshli block of oil fields in the Azerbaijani sector of the Caspian Sea, that is, the “Contract of the Century” was extended until 2050. On December 31, 2020, with the commissioning of the Trans-Adriatic Pipeline – the last segment of the Southern Gas Corridor, for the first time in history, the export of Azerbaijani gas to Europe began.
Along with all these large-scale oil and gas projects, with the commissioning of the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway, the opening of the Baku International Sea Trade Port complex, and the Alat Free Economic Zone, Azerbaijan and Baku have become the largest trade and logistics hub of the region, the center of North-South, East-West, and Middle Corridor transport routes.
These and other projects bring our country both economic and political dividends.
Unparalleled Socio-Economic Development
The last twenty years are also characterized by unparalleled successes achieved in the country’s economy and social sphere. During this period, Azerbaijan’s gross domestic product increased in real terms by 3.6 times. Growth in the gross domestic product in the non-oil sector amounted to 3.4 times, and in state budget expenditures – 30 times. If in 2003, budget expenditures per capita amounted to 150 manats, now this indicator has exceeded 3,500 manats.
In 2022, the gross domestic product per capita increased 3 times compared to 2003 and amounted to 13,256 manats. Over the last 20 years, Azerbaijan’s foreign currency reserves have increased more than 47 times and exceeded 66 billion US dollars.
The development of the agricultural production and processing sector – one of the priority directions of the non-oil sector – was also constantly in focus. As a result of targeted measures taken over the last 20 years, 51 agro-parks were created, and the volume of non-oil exports increased more than eight times.
Issues of social protection of the population, in particular, social security of the most sensitive category of people, have always been at the center of attention of President Ilham Aliyev. Reforms and targeted measures carried out over the past 20 years in the social sphere have ensured the sustainability of the social welfare of the population. If in 2003, 678.2 million manats were allocated from the state budget for social expenditures, in 2022 this figure amounted to 11.6 billion manats. As a result of the implemented policy of social orientation, the average monthly salary increased from 77.4 manats in 2003 to 900 manats, and the average monthly pension – from 25 manats to 423 manats. Or, the poverty level in our country decreased from 44.7 percent in 2003 to 5.5 percent.
The problems of the part of the population most in need of social protection, including people with disabilities, war veterans, and low-income citizens, were also constantly at the center of the state’s attention. More than 14,000 apartments and individual houses were provided to the families of martyrs and persons with disabilities due to the war.
The independent foreign policy that has earned great prestige and support for our country
The political knowledge and experience of President Ilham Aliyev, along with his profound understanding of diplomatic science, play a crucial role in the successful implementation of our country’s foreign policy course. President Ilham Aliyev, who has emphasized the importance of mutual respect for sovereignty among countries and the establishment of mutually beneficial relations through strengthening cooperation, has based the course of foreign policy on these principles.
Azerbaijan has practically demonstrated its readiness to cooperate on the basis of principles such as respect for and adherence to the norms and principles of international law, sovereignty, territorial integrity, and inviolability of internationally recognized borders of states, as well as non-interference in the internal affairs. Our country conducts an independent foreign policy, showing commitment to this course even against the backdrop of the most contradictory international relations. This is why the world accepts Azerbaijan’s stance, providing support for the international and regional initiatives put forward by our President.
Today, recognized globally as a reliable partner, Azerbaijan has strengthened its existing relationships by establishing cooperation with neighboring countries on various platforms.
Establishing fruitful cooperation with international structures over these years holds exceptional significance in shaping our country’s global image. Azerbaijan’s election as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council with the support of 155 states, as well as its chairmanship of the Non-Aligned Movement, which includes 120 states, serves as an indicator of our country’s prestige on a global scale.
In December of the previous year, countries worldwide unanimously decided to hold the largest international conference (COP29) in Baku. This, as an expression of great respect and sympathy from the international community towards Azerbaijan and its leader, is also a high appreciation of our country’s transition to green energy.
Our people, having voted for Ilham Aliyev in the presidential elections, are confident in the continuation of these achievements and the successful accomplishment of upcoming tasks in the new stage.
