On October 9 in the village of Sutermurdov of Lankaran region ceremony of the solemn opening of the newly built complex took place.

Prime Minister of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev was participating in the ceremony.

The gathered ten thousands of Lankaran residents met Prime Minister with pleasure.

Head of Azeri government was presented the flowers.

The ceremony dedicated to putting into exploitation of Lankaran Olympic complex was opened with the introductory speech of the head of executive power of the city of Lankaran Zeynal Nagdaliyev.

SPEECH OF PRIME MINISTER OF AZERBAIJAN ILHAM ALIYEV

BAKU. 10.10.2003. AzerTAg.

Dear residents of Lankaran

Dear sisters and brothers,

I welcome all of you. I congratulate you with the opening of such remarkable Olympic Complex. At the same time, I extend my gratitude to the residents of Lerik and Astara, who have come to take part at this ceremony.

When I visited Lankaran in September 2001, I stated that the National Olympic committee decided to build a modern Olympic complex in Lankaran. I am delightful that today it has become a reality and today together with you we participate in the opening of this wonderful complex and bless it

Sports in Azerbaijan have acquired massive character. This is very pleased that during three years, since 2000, we have built numerous sports complexes in all regions of Azerbaijan. It is an important event. I consider this is a policy to think over and over. There are talented sportsmen in every region and province of our Country. Those who are engaged in sports are physically and morally healthy. We need healthy nation, healthy generation.

Yesterday in Baku we opened a new sports complex, then in Barda and today in Lankaran. This shows that there is great care and attention for sports in Azerbaijan. The issue has always been in the focus of Mr. President Heydar Aliyev. Our sportsmen worthily represent the Republic of Azerbaijan at the international contests, gain medals and become champions. I am sure that they will further be active in the international contests, world, European Champs, Olympics. Sports develop in the country where there is development and stability. Azerbaijan under the leadership of Heydar Aliyev has succeeded much more in the last ten years. In 1993, the country was on the verge of catastrophe. The Country was about disappearance. Just under Heydar Aliyev's policy, Azerbaijan gained peace, stability and development. Economy of the country is developing and Azerbaijan could seize a worthy place among the international community.

Reforms are being conducted in Azerbaijan, the oil strategy of Heydar Aliyev implementing. As the result of this, the people live well. We want Azerbaijan to develop further. We have every opportunity for this - natural resources, stable political will, and support of the people. All these factors will promote to develop the Country.

I am very pleased and with a feeling of satisfaction, I can say that the same development seems in Lankaran. I have participated at the opening ceremonies in new objects since this morning. We have commissioned a new tinned food factory. This process is going in all the regions. New working places are opened, and they meet world standards. Local production increases.

Opening of new working places is priority in the policy of the government. In the coming five years, we shall open 600 thousand of working places. It is an enormous figure. They might say is it is not real. I can say that all economic calculations have been carried out for this. Unemployment problem, thus, will be completely abolished in Azerbaijan. This is the most important problem Azerbaijan encounters. Unemployment should be prevented and poverty should be combated.

For this purpose, Azerbaijan is realizing special programs in association with the world leading financial structures, and I am sure that poverty reduction programs will be a success in the Republic.

In Azerbaijan, entrepreneurship and private sector develops. Share of Gross Domestic Production is above 70 percent. This shows that in Azerbaijan, principles of market economy are ruling in the economy.

Today we have opened another infrastructure object, a hotel. It is very pleased that the Hotel meets high standards. It is worthy for the residents of Lankaran. I have not seen such hotel in other regions of Azerbaijan. This will promote development of tourism in the beautiful region with remarkable climate, splendid nature.

Azerbaijan will become a rich country. The policy pursued by Mr. Heydar Aliyev, yields its fruits. Oil strategy is being implemented in Azerbaijan. We have colossal currency reserves. It will enable to develop economy of every region. The ministry of economic development prepares special program that every citizen of Azerbaijan will benefit.

In 2001, I had promised that I would help in natural gas delivery to Lankaran. The city was not supplied with gas for many years.

I was seriously engaged in the problem. We prepared special program and implemented and as the result of it gas supply to some south regions, including Lankaran was restored. Our goal is to completely provide the city with gas. And we shall reach it.

As you know, esteemed Mr. President always respectfully regarded Lankaran, as well as other regions in this zone. You all have felt that. Mr. President has several times visited these regions. You know that Mr. President because of health problems will not participate at the elections. I will. I would like to assure you I would continue his policy. We shall be together in coming years and you will be in my focus.

In Azerbaijan, there is no alternative to Heydar Aliyev's policy. Alternative policy would lead Azerbaijan to a gulf. The people of Azerbaijan passed through hard ordeals in 1992-1993s. Azerbaijan underwent a hard crisis, anarchy and chaos. Predatory groups, armed militants were ruling everywhere. In this case, future of Azerbaijan was under question. Inability of the then opposition leaders caused ruins in the country. They have returned to policy due to the democratic processes guaranteed by Mr. President Heydar Aliyev. And, now they lie you, promise you, make fantasies. But the people of Azerbaijan do not believe them.

Azerbaijan was saved and misfortunes are behind.

In Azerbaijan, the war was stopped. There is no economic crisis in the Republic. On the contrary, there is development. In comparison with the neighboring countries, Azerbaijan is in the first place. On foreign economic investments per capita in the CIS space and in some Eastern European countries, the Republic holds the first place. According to the inflation level, we are among the high-developed countries.

In the result of the oil strategy of Heydar Aliyev, two oil pipelines were built and put into operation. Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan MEP is one of the largest projects that were ever built in the world. It will benefit the people of Azerbaijan much more and in 2005 we shall inaugurate the MEP.

Under the Decree of President Heydar Aliyev, there was created the Oil Fund. Now, Azerbaijan has 1 billion 400 million-currency reserves. It equaled null in 1993. The opposition leaders transferred to their foreign accounts.

Azerbaijan will continue realization of oil strategy. After the BTC MEP will be put into operation, Azerbaijan can export 50 million tons of oil and this will bring 5 billion USD to the Country. With these means, it will be possible to all-rounded develop Azerbaijan, build new factories, plants, schools, hospitals, open new working places. You should ask the opposition: did Heydar Aliyev create these that you would destroy them? Never, the people of Azerbaijan have made its choice.

We shall not let these dishonest and defamed people assume the power. The nation will not let them. On 15 October, the people will vote for President Heydar Aliyev's policy.

We have large plans for coming years. I noted that Azerbaijan intensively develops. Socio-economic problems are gradually solved. It will be better. Energy carriers will develop and energy supply of the regions will be provided completely. Two power stations at 400 megawatt will be built in the coming five years. That will end energy shortage in the Republic. And Azerbaijan will be able to import energy.

Import of the natural gas will be continued. Of course, not all is okay in the country. We know that. But we should attach great attention to social problems. The officials are sometimes indifferent to needs of citizens. I have told this several times. I have been addressed by numerous people.

In the last ten days, we have been attentive and sense to the applications of the people. It will be so in further. All the problems should find their solution. We should serve our people. This was demonstrated by example of Heydar Aliyev. We must always be engaged in the problems of citizens of the country. If we all act so, no problem will remain unsolved.

Dear residents of Lankaran,

I know well that the people of Lankaran have done a lot for independence of Azerbaijan, underwent loss, victims. Courageous sons of Lankaran are successors of the twice Hero of Soviet Union Hazi Aslanov. I am thankful to you for this. I am sure that we all together shall further strengthen independence of Azerbaijan.

I have noted this and reiterate. In 2001, I have promised to make a remarkable gist to the people of Lankaran and I shall take part at the opening of it. You are witnesses that we kept our promise, our initiative. It was my personal initiative. We shall do it in another regions as well. We launched this program in early 2000. Now we have greater opportunities. I promise you to build a swimming pool in Lankaran and we shall certainly inaugurate it.

Dear resident of Lankaran,

Dear residents of Astara,

Dear residents of Lerik,

I express my gratitude for coming to this meeting and sincere feelings you demonstrate. I would like to assure you I would adhere Heydar Aliyev's political course. We all together will continue Heydar Aliyev's policy.

Then, the Prime Minister cut the red ribbon and inaugurated the Olympic Complex, toured the area, familiarized with the training facilities. The Prime Minister expressed his satisfaction with the quality of the high-level sports complex in the south region of the Republic.

Masters of art and culture performed concerts for the audience.

Prime Minister Ilham Aliyev acquainted with the hotel "Olympic" built near the Complex. Head of the Azerbaijani government satisfied with the modern hotel and conditions created here.

The same day, Prime Minister Ilham Aliyev visited the 'Beta' tea factory in the Sutamurdov village of Lankaran. He was informed that the enterprise was reconstructed with the financial assistance of the Turkish "Beta" companies group, widened and modernly equipped. Currently, the factory exports its production to the foreign countries, including CIS countries. 300 people were employed at the factory. It produces 20 tons of tealeaves a day. The factory increases its production completely in account of the foreign investment.

Prime Minister Ilham Aliyev familiarized with the production process, talked to the staff specialists of the factory.

On 9 October, Prime Minister of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev stayed in Masalli and Jalilabad regions, held meetings with the electors.

Minister of internal affairs Ramil Usubov, minister of transport Ziya Mammadov, minister of economic development Farhad Aliyev, minister of youth, sports ands tourism Abulfaz Garayev, chiefs of departments of President Administration, Ali Hasanov and Yusif Humbatov, Members of Parliament and other officials took part at the meetings in the south provinces.

BAKU. 10.10.2003. AzerTAg