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Baku, Azerbaijan, Sept. 19
By Elchin Mehdiyev - Trend:
The Contract of the Century is not only the past, but also the present and future of Azerbaijan, Deputy Prime Minister, Deputy Chairman and Executive Secretary of the ruling New Azerbaijan Party Ali Ahmadov wrote in his article entitled "Virtual Opposition" on his Facebook page,Trend reports on Sept. 19.
“Twenty Five years have passed since the signing of the oil agreement, called the Contract of the Century, which is the result of Azerbaijani national leader Heydar Aliyev’s greatness, will and wisdom,” he added.
“Despite many contracts for the oil and gas extraction and transportation have been signed in the world, the agreement, called the Contract of the Century, is associated with the development of the Azerbaijani hydrocarbon reserves,” Ahmadov added. “The protection of Azerbaijan’s state independence from the risks during that period, international recognition, laying the foundations for future development became possible thanks to the signing of the Contract of the Century."
“The implementation of the project, which involves investing tens of billions of dollars to a poor country in the conditions of war, which did not completely neutralize external threats, was a big risk for investors,” he said.
“But they took this risk by believing in Heydar Aliyev’s personality and strength,” Ahmadov said. “It was a triumph of the far-sightedness, wisdom and determination of Heydar Aliyev as a statesman. To achieve the signing of the Contract of the Century in the context of well-known realities in terms of internal and external risks of 1990s of the last century, was an example of not only greatness and wisdom, but also great heroism. Heydar Aliyev was a national hero in this complex geopolitical "struggle".”
He reminded that the Contract of the Century has been serving Azerbaijan for 25 years.
“The country received billions of dollars thanks to this contract,” he said. “Baku, cities and villages greatly changed, roads, beautiful, modern towns for internally displaced people, schools, hospitals were built , the army was strengthened and its power increased, our life and destiny completely changed.”
After the Contract of the Century was signed, many new agreements that would make the future of the country even more prosperous, were signed,” Ahmadov added.
He emphasized that Heydar Aliyev built independent Azerbaijan and laid the foundation for its future.
“Every Azerbaijani appreciates his exceptional services, expresses commitment to Heydar Aliyev’s policy and is closely united around Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev,” he said.