Azerbaijan, Baku, June 26 / Trend /
Army building is the most important and a priority issue for Azerbaijan, President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev said on Wednesday, speaking at a military parade in Baku.
The President congratulated military personnel and the people of Azerbaijan on the Armed Forces Day, and wished success to the whole personnel of the Armed Forces.
"Today's military parade is dedicated to the 95th anniversary of our army. At today's parade Azerbaijani state will demonstrate its military power. Army building is the most important and priority issue for us. That is the way it should be for each country because each country must defend itself. This is issue of great importance, especially for countries living in conditions of war. Azerbaijan lives in such conditions. The war is not over. The first stage of the war has finished, and at any moment, our army must be ready to restore country's territorial integrity by any means," Ilham Aliyev said.
He underscored that the Armenian-Azerbaijani Nagorno-Karabakh conflict has not been resolved for many years.
"The injustice continues for years. Internationally recognized territories of Azerbaijan are under occupation. Ethnic cleansing policy has been pursued against the Azerbaijanis. Khojaly genocide was committed against our nation. All international organizations stand up for Azerbaijan's position," President Aliyev said.
He added that all credible international organizations have made their decisions and resolutions on this issue.
"However, Armenia ignores the norms of international law and the occupation continues. Unfortunately, the negotiations do not yield any result. In that case, of course, there is a great need for army building. Nagorno Karabakh is historically the native land of Azerbaijan. For centuries, our people have lived on these lands," President Aliyev said.
"The Nagorno-Karabakh is an integral part of Azerbaijan today and the entire world community recognizes and supports the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan," the President said.
He went on to say that not only Nagorno-Karabakh but current Armenia as well were established on the territory of Azerbaijan.
"The Erivan khanate, Goycha mahal and Zangazur are our historic areas. Azerbaijan and Azerbaijani people will never allow establishing the second Armenian state on the territory of Azerbaijan. We will try for the problem to be resolved in the near future. Of course, solution of the problem lies in politics. A negotiation process so far continues. However a strong army and a strong potential strengthen our position, which is based on historical justice."
He said that Nagorno-Karabakh is and will remain an Azerbaijani land.
"Our position is supported by norms of the international law. There are four UN Security Council resolutions that demand the unconditional withdrawal of Armenian occupation forces from the occupied lands. Our position is complemented by a strong army, and for this purpose great attention has been paid to army building in the recent years. Our army is developing. This is an ongoing process," President Aliyev said.
He said he often visits military units, gets acquainted with the situation and sees that fighting efficiency of the Azerbaijani army and its professionalism is increasing.
"There is high spirit of patriotism in the army, as well as in the whole society. Majority of servicemen in the army are young people. I am very happy that Azerbaijani youth is being brought up in patriotic spirit. Those who serve in the army, are attached to their homeland, their people, they love their homeland. These factors further strengthen our army," President Aliyev underlined.
The President noted that at the same time, great development has been recently achieved in technical equipment of the army. He said that the most modern equipment and weapons have been recently purchased.
"Part of the military hardware, purchased and produced in Azerbaijan recently, will be demonstrated during today's parade," he said, adding that only a small part of the existing equipment will be shown here. Azerbaijan has spent huge funds on military purposes in the recent years.
For comparison, I can say that our military budget was $163 million in 2003, while it reached $3.6 billion last year. This year it reached $3.7 billion. This shows that the army building is a priority issue. The biggest expense of our budget fall to the army and it is natural. We have purchased the most modern equipment in the recent years."
He noted that technologies and knowledge will be of key importance during wars in the 21st century.
"It is a requirement of time. The armament that Azerbaijan has purchased in recent years is up-to-date weaponry. It has high accuracy and very high destructive power. Over the last few years about 100 combat and transportation helicopters, dozens of combat aircrafts, the most up-to-date air defense installations, armored equipment, modern tanks, the most up-to-date artillery, which can destroy any enemy target, have been purchased," President Aliyev said.
The President noted that this process continues, and in the coming years the military expenditures in the country's general budget will prevail.
"For comparison, I can say that the entire budget of Armenia is about $2 billion. What it means is that Azerbaijan's expenditures on military purposes is twice as big as all of Armenia's expenditure. Strong Azerbaijan can speak with weak Armenia in any language. We give preference to negotiations just to preserve stability in the region," he underscored.
The President noted that that reason for that is because Azerbaijan is a stabilizing country in the region.
"Azerbaijan is a country that has great influence in the region. No initiative can be implemented without Azerbaijan's consent," he said.
Therefore, we give preference to the political ways to maintain stability and resolve the problem peacefully. But it is not a secret that Azerbaijan is strengthening day by day, while Armenia is weakening."
President Ilham Aliyev noted that Azerbaijan's economic power has been incomparably increased.
"Azerbaijan surpasses the opponent several times in any sphere, and in some spheres by over 10 times," he said. "This difference will increase over time because the country has a bright future, prospects and ways of development."
The President noted that on a world scale, Azerbaijan is the fastest growing country, and in terms of economic development, in 10 years, there is no other developing country in the world like Azerbaijan.
"I want to reiterate that these are the historical factors," he said. "The international rule of law, political factors, our economic and military power will play a role in the Armenian-Azerbaijani Nagorno-Karabakh conflict settlement and its fair settlement. Azerbaijan will restore its territorial integrity. An Azerbaijani flag will flutter in Nagorno-Karabakh, and other occupied territories, Khankendi, Shusha."