President Aliyev: Azerbaijan is a strong state, moves forward with dignity and honesty FULL SPEECH / PHOTO

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev emphasized the country's independence and strength, stating that Azerbaijan is a sovereign nation that charts its own course, free from external obligations and committed to moving forward with dignity and integrity. 

President Aliyev made the remarks addressing an event on the 2024 sports results of Azerbaijan, Caliber.Az reports, citing Azertag.

Speech by President Ilham Aliyev

- Dear athletes, dear friends,

First of all, I would like to congratulate Azerbaijani athletes on the successes they have achieved this year. 2024 has been a successful year for Azerbaijani sports as well. Azerbaijani athletes represented our country with dignity in international competitions, winning nearly 1,700 medals. This demonstrates that our sports are developing, a new generation of athletes is emerging, and Azerbaijan, as a sports nation, is confirming its strength in various international competitions.

Of course, the biggest competition of the year was the Summer Olympic Games, where we achieved a historic result. Azerbaijan has been participating in the Olympic Games as an independent country since 1996, and this time we finished in the highest position. Azerbaijan ranked 30th in the team standings, which is our best result. In total, more than two hundred national teams participated in the Olympic Games, and finishing in 30th place among them is a great achievement.

I should also note that Azerbaijan finished third among Muslim countries. Considering that there are about 60 Muslim countries in the world, this is a great and truly historic achievement. Our team has once again raised the sporting glory of our country to new heights by winning seven medals: two gold, two silver, and three bronze.

Of course, after this remarkable result, we expect victories and successes from our athletes in future competitions as well. Our athletes always delight the Azerbaijani people with their victories. It goes without saying that whatever is necessary for the development of sports will continue to be done in the coming year and beyond. This is because the policy of the Azerbaijani state in this direction is very clear and unambiguous, and it has been carried out for many years.

Sport is an integral part of our society. Sports and victories in sports play a very important role in public life. The sport factor is of tremendous importance, especially in the upbringing of the younger generation and instilling patriotic feelings in them. Considering that Azerbaijan participated in these Summer Olympic Games as a victorious country, as a winning country, our athletes joined as representatives of a triumphant nation. Of course, this patriotic factor must always be in the spotlight.

Just as sport is important in educating the younger generation in the spirit of patriotism, so is military and physical training. Physical strength also paves the way for moral purity, and I am glad that the absolute majority of our athletes are role models in sports, in everyday life, and in society. Their behavior and activities in society make me, and I am sure all our people, very happy. This is exactly what Azerbaijani youth should be like – patriotic, physically strong, morally pure, devoted to their people and state, not yielding to any outside influence, and dignified Azerbaijani youth. I repeat, since 1996, our participation in all Olympic Games has had this goal, among others, of course. We had to prove to ourselves and the rest of the world that we are a strong state. And the strength of every state stems from the strength of its people.

I am sure that this time our athletes, representing a victorious country, entered the sports arenas, mats, and sports fields in general with a completely different spirit. This wonderful result once again showed the power of our state.

Our future activities will, of course, continue to focus on the development of sports. Because all the necessary decisions have been made, all relevant institutions, federations, clubs, sports associations, the Olympic Committee, and the ministry operate based on a single strategy. Enhancement work has been carried out in the federations. I do hope that we will make further progress both in our traditional medal-winning sports and in those that have not developed very much so far. For many years, the state has been working hard to promote sports in all regions. Currently, there are 44 Olympic Sports Centers operating in our regions, and the construction of additional sports centers is planned in various areas, including the Karabakh region. We also have the most modern sports infrastructure in the city of Baku. We hosted the prestigious European Games in Baku about 10 years ago. After that, we held the Islamic Solidarity Games, and the COP29 international climate conference was held in and around the Olympic Stadium in Baku last month. In other words, the sports facility we built in the past, the Olympic Stadium, has played a major role here too. Because if we hadn't done this in the past, we wouldn't have been able to hold an international event of such proportions and scale – with 197 countries and 76,000 registered participants. It was specifically noted that the guests were pleased with the organization of the Conference. There were only 10 complaints, and they were resolved quickly.

In the regions, as I said, this work will be continued. As for the liberated territories, you know very well that, along with infrastructure projects in those areas, in the cities and villages built for the former IDPs, we are also creating sports infrastructure there along with houses. Some may think that this is a bit too early. But I believe that this must be done. Because these sports facilities have both symbolic and functional significance. For example, the construction of the Imarat stadium holds great symbolic meaning. Now, a new stadium that meets all international standards is under construction in the city of Aghdam. The foundation of the Olympic Sports Center has been laid in the city of Fuzuli. International rowing competitions are already held in the Sugovushan and Kondalanchay reservoirs. Several sports competitions have been held in the city of Shusha. The stadium in the city of Khankendi, built back in the 1950s with Azerbaijan’s budget, is now undergoing major overhaul and will be almost completely rebuilt. Exactly a year ago, we all watched a historic football match at the Khankendi stadium. But this stadium will also meet all international standards, and the reconstruction process will be completed next year. The construction of other sports facilities is on the agenda in other liberated territories, and we will carry out this work sequentially. Next year, Azerbaijan will host another major sports competition: the CIS Games. The third CIS Games will be held in Azerbaijan. Fourteen cities have been selected for this, and the main games will be held in the city of Ganja. Ganja will be the center of the CIS Games. A new stadium is under construction in Ganja and should be operational before the games. At the same time, a few months ago, a large Olympic Sports Center was opened in Ganja. Even Baku has never has an Olympic Center of this size and functionality. Seven thousand athletes are expected to participate in the third CIS Games. If we compare this with the 2015 European Games, there were approximately 5,000-5,500 participants back then.

In Ganja city, of course, conditions must be created for accommodating 7,000 participants, along with their teams and staff. Appropriate instructions have already been given. Starting next year, major repair and restoration work will be carried out in the city of Ganja. The city’s infrastructure will be renewed, public transportation will be completely modernized, historical buildings will be restored, and other infrastructure projects will be implemented. This will ensure that Ganja, our ancient city and the homeland of Nizami, showcases its beauty, historical charm, and modernity to the entire CIS and beyond. Of course, we are also preparing for these Games. I am confident that, as hosts, Azerbaijani athletes — our young athletes — will achieve excellent results.

At the end of the year or at the beginning of each year, we traditionally honor our athletes with state awards and present them with apartments. This tradition has continued for 27 years. When I was elected President of the National Olympic Committee, I clearly understood that without state attention, sports could not develop. Many factors contributing to the development of sports in Azerbaijan are interconnected, but above all, there is state support. All awards are absolutely deserved. Both athletes and representatives of the sports community, as well as coaches and other sports specialists, are rightly recognized by the state, and this is fair.

Justice should prevail everywhere — in international relations, within families, and in every country and society. We strive for this. We have restored historical justice, our territorial integrity and sovereignty, and we are proud of that. I am confident that this glorious Victory of ours will inspire every young Azerbaijani. We have added sports victories to our great Victory on the battlefield, and this, of course, further enhances the international authority of our country. Because the development of sports is a demonstration of the overall progress of each country. It is a reflection of it. Azerbaijan is a strong state, a country that relies on its own strength, follows its own way, has no obligations to anyone, does not bow down to anyone, moves forward with dignity and honesty, and this is our great wealth.

The developments unfolding in the world today are obvious. Bloody clashes, wars, conflicts, the gross interference of some countries in the affairs of others, the escalation of the situation – we do not see and will not see all this in Azerbaijan. Because the unity of the people and the government, the solidarity in society, our common political views, of course, our historical Victory, and many other factors provide us with insurance against these difficulties and challenges. For almost 30 years now, Azerbaijan has been living in the conditions of stability, and I am sure that it will live in conditions of eternal stability in the future too.

As for the Karabakh and East Zangezur regions, I know that our athletes regularly visit those regions. Ten thousand people have already settled there. Most of them are children and young people. Children and young people who had never seen those places are returning there with great enthusiasm. Of course, regular visits of prominent Azerbaijani athletes to the liberated lands will be a great occasion to celebrate for both young people and children. That is why I believe that, in addition to sports competitions, the more Azerbaijani athletes, other well-known figures of our society and intellectuals visit those regions within the framework of various events, the better it will be both for them and for those living there. Because life is starting anew there, from scratch. The projects we are implementing are unmatched in the world and perhaps never will be. In a vast geography, on an area of 15,000-16,000 square kilometers, which Armenia completely razed to the ground, a new life is emerging, and it is modern, beautiful, and comfortable. Therefore, my advice to athletes and representatives of the sports community is to visit these and other regions as a whole more often, hold meetings there, and select young sports talents. Because selection work, as sport experts know very well, is the crucial factor.

Dear friends, I congratulate you on your successes again. The Day of Solidarity of World Azerbaijanis is approaching, the New Year is approaching. I congratulate you on these holidays and wish you good health and continued success. Thank you.

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Following this, an award ceremony was held to honor athletes and sports experts for their contributions to the development of sports in Azerbaijan.