Ilham Aliyev: "I am responsible for everything in Azerbaijan, both for good and for bad changes"

"Year of 2007 was a very important year in the modern history of Azerbaijan, but we should not forget that the foundation for this success was laid by Heydar Aliyev in the 1990s. If not for the Contract of Century signed in that period, I doubt, that we would have such achievements", President of Azerbaijan said during the ceremony of awarding him the premium "Person of the Year", Day.Az reports.

I.Aliyev noted that within 4 years Azerbaijan's budget rose by 10 times and this process will further continue.

"The Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan is now operating, while several years ago few believed that Azerbaijan would be able to fill the pipeline by its own oil. Yet we believed in it", the president noted.

According to him, the Baku-Tbilisi-Erzirum remains in the shadow of the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan project, though being also important.

"Azerbaijan has been exporting gas for already a year, though we had imported it before that. Azerbaijan plays an important role in energy security. It should be noted that Azerbaijan exports its oil to American and Eastern countries, which will promote Azerbaijan's consolidation", the head of state noted.

He also touched upon the Garabagh conflict.

"We attach great importance to army. Our army is the best in the region. Azerbaijan's military budget is expanding each year and military industrial complex is created", I.Aliyev noted. He stressed the importance of these factors for the release of occupied lands.

Ilham Aliyev noted that Azerbaijan will not cooperate with Armenia in the economic sphere and in various projects until the conflict is settled.

At the same time, the President announced that Azerbaijan is cooperating successfully with other countries. "We maintain friendly relations with most countries under terms of non-interference with the internal affairs of our country. If we need advise, we will appeal for it. If someone attempts to interfere with the internal affairs of Azerbaijan, he will get the due response. We do not have any problems in our external policy and we must demand for respect so that none of the issues in the region is settled without Azerbaijan's participation", Ilham Aliyev announced.

He also stressed that according to several mass medias definite sanctions can be applied against Azerbaijan in a number of cases.

"This is not true. Azerbaijan has never undertaken any commitments before any country and it is not possible to impose any sanctions against our country", the head of state noted.

Moreover, he said Azerbaijan attaches great importance to democratic development.

"I am responsible for everything in Azerbaijan, both for good and bad changes. There are problems in our country but our aim is the comprehensive development of the country, the settlement of all problems and welfare of the population. Azerbaijan has potential for it", I.Aliyev said.

/Day.Az/