by Katia M. Peltekian

22-11-04

Due to successful implementation of Heidar Aliyev's oil strategy, Azerbaijan becomes stronger from year to year, improves welfare of its people and occupies a firmer place in the international arena.
Here follow the speech of the President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, at a solemn ceremony on the 55th anniversary of "Oil Rocks".

Dear oilmen!
Dear friends!
Dear ladies and gentlemen!
I congratulate all of you on the 55th anniversary of "Oil Rocks" with best wishes for your good health, happiness and successful activities. This is really great and remarkable event. Fifty-five years ago, oil was for the first time extracted in the open sea. Of course, every Azerbaijani is well aware of this fact and is proud of it. As early as XIX century, certain activities were initiated to explore oil fields, but the first oil gushed out here in 1949. Since then, oil industry of Azerbaijan has been rapidly developed, and today the country is recognized in the world as an oil country.

As an independent country, Azerbaijan is successfully using its oil potential. Had not practical steps been taken since 1949, large-scale development of the Caspian fields initiated and relevant infrastructure created, Azerbaijan would face serious difficulties in realization of these activities today. Particularly, the infrastructure created in 1970s, which was modern for those times, continues to serve Azerbaijan even today. It was during those years that drilling rigs, platforms and other important units operating for the future of our country were constructed.
Of course, it was our national leader Heidar Aliyev who initiated all these activities. It reaffirms -- I said it more than once, and want to say now -- that a leader who loves his people and works selflessly for their future will bring benefit irrespective of political system. Today's Azerbaijan is a product of Heidar Aliyev.

We remember well early 1990s as well. At that time, Azerbaijan experienced severe crisis not only in oil but also in other fields. If the "Contract of the Century" initiated by Heidar Aliyev at that both politically and economically hard times had not been signed despite all the pressures and threats, no development in oil or any other sector of the economy would be possible today. Because, the economy of Azerbaijan was then, is today and will be in the future based on the oil factor; And this factor will play a key role in not only the country's economy but also its whole life for many years to come.
Azerbaijan was a very risky place. There were the very few number of potential investors in the Azerbaijan's economy and country appeared to be in a very difficult situation: economic crisis on the one hand, occupation of its territories and civil confrontation on the other. It was only as a result of Heidar Aliyev's activities that it became possible to persuade foreign investors, attract them and move the country out of this complicated situation.

It has been 10 years since the "Contract of the Century". Over these 10 years, our country has been strengthened, its economy developed, social problems are being tackled. Azerbaijan has managed to hold a firm position in the world, and Azerbaijan is known throughout the world as a very reliable and serious partner. Otherwise, if it were not belief in Azerbaijan's today and tomorrow, no billions of foreign investments would be made in the country. These investments allow us to develop not only oil sector but also other fields of the economy.
Azerbaijan is today one of the most dynamically developing countries not only in the region but also in the world. The world's largest energy projects are now being implemented in Azerbaijan even though some formerly were rather sceptical about them.

The Baku-Baku-Tbilisi oil pipeline, which once was called by some just a legend, has turned into reality due to realization of the Heidar Aliyev's oil strategy. It is an issue of paramount importance for Azerbaijan, future of our country and strengthening of its position in the international arena. The Baku-Tbilisi-Erzurum gas pipeline will turn out country into gas exporter, as well. European consumers are also among those who are waiting for the natural gas from Azerbaijan. This project is being successfully implemented, as well, and we will mark the putting the gas pipeline into commission in 2006.
A very powerful oil infrastructure has been created in Azerbaijan in the past years. The drilling rigs, other objects of the infrastructure will serve the people of Azerbaijan for decades to come.

Of course, we are craving for development all spheres of the economy. The greater part of the work in oil sector has already been completed, and our main task is to develop the non-oil sector. The works in this direction and its results are evident. Suffice it to say that over 110,000 jobs were open in the past year in Azerbaijan, 70,000 of which are permanent. In a word, the step taken in 1994 has had a very positive impact on our country, and I am sure will continue to do so.
The extra funds going into our treasury will allow to reach sooner implementation of the social programs -- rise in salaries and wages, pensions and other social payments. After the presidential elections I said the people of Azerbaijan would live better from year to year. All the programs I declared have been implemented. I am sure that all the promises made before the elections including opening of 600,000 jobs, development of the Azerbaijan economy, development of regions and as a result improvement of the people's welfare will be kept. This is the most important task of mine as a president, and I am sure that we will reach the goal.

Today, I want to touch upon the activities of the oil sector as a whole. In particular, I would like to mark the work of the State Oil Company of Azerbaijan. The State Oil Company of Azerbaijan has worked hard to realize the oil strategy initiated by Heidar Aliyev. The huge work has been done in all spheres including both cooperation with foreign companies andits own projects on oil fields development.
While familiarizing myself with the situation in the Oil Rocks, I have made certain of ongoing development. Despite, oil has been produced here for 55 years, and the largest production volumes left in the past, it nevertheless, has increased in the past years. Today, I also familiarized with oilmen's living conditions. I saw new buildings, repaired old ones, and that social issues are on the focus of attention, the oilmen's salaries are quite high. They are at least three times more as compared with average salaries in Azerbaijan.

I am very happy and proud spending a part of my life among oilmen working for the State Oil Company. These years are very valuable and dear to me, because I need the experience, knowledge and friends I found then even today. In this high post of president, I consider myself a representative of oilmen.
Dear friends, today is really a great holiday, a remarkable, historical event. I am sure the Oil Rocks will serve the people of Azerbaijan for many years to come. Of course the volume of oil produced here is not large enough, but all know well that no a large oil or gas project is possible in Azerbaijan without the Oil Rocks. That is why we should know that the significance of the Oil Rocks must remain on the same level.

I would like to touch one more question. The State Oil Company advanced certain proposals concerning increase in production of both oil and gas. Of course, we need large financial resources, and we will do find them. I am sure if we start working at these projects from the next year, we will manage to increase oil and gas production in Azerbaijan in a short period.
Azerbaijan is being strengthened improving its economic situation from year to year. The country's place in the international arena is getting firmer, as well. We are also taking measures for resolution of our hardest problem, the Armenia-Azerbaijan, Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

As you know, Azerbaijan put the issue on the agenda of many international events. The report and draft resolution prepared by the Council of Europe reflect reality i.e. reveal Armenia as an aggressor. The issue concerning the situation in the occupied lands put on the agenda of the United Nations was a hard blow to Armenia. Armenia was the only country to vote "against". We will continue our efforts to reach fair solution to the problem for the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan to be restored, our compatriots -- refugees and IDPs returned to their homes.
Please, accept once again my heartfelt congratulations on this wonderful jubilee, and best wishes for good health, happiness and new successes in and victories.

Source: ANN/Groong