BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 27. We are fully independent politically, President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev said during the meeting with the residents of Aghali village after attending the launch of the first phase of the smart village project in Zangilan district on May 27, Trend reports.
"We have done a lot to strengthen our independence. We are fully independent politically. No country can influence our will, and everyone already knows that Azerbaijan must be reckoned with. Azerbaijan's position must be taken into account. Azerbaijan is a self-respecting state and demands and receives this respect from everyone.
We are economically independent. Today, the number of economically independent countries is not so high. Recent history has shown this. But we are completely independent, we do not depend on anyone, we are building our own lives and do not need any help or credits. On the contrary, we are lending money to some countries. As a result of economic independence, I can say that this village of Aghali has become one of the most progressive villages in the world now. We have done this, we are carrying out restoration work on our own. We are doing that in all other liberated lands on our own. Huge projects are being implemented now. The people of Azerbaijan are regularly informed about this.
Political and economic independence has allowed us the opportunity to build our lives the way we want, to build a state based on the ancient traditions and values of the Azerbaijani people, and to live comfortably in this state. The processes taking place in the world today are before our eyes of course. Azerbaijan is a land of stability and security. I can say that it is an island of stability and security. The whole world already sees and knows this. Of course, if we were not independent, i.e. if we were not truly independent, we would not be able to end the Armenian occupation," the head of state said.