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Moderator: Mr. President, it would be better to receive two more questions, then
to answer all of them.
Question: Thank you. I am a representative of TUSIAB, Turkish Industrialists
Union. I would like to know Your opinion on a Caspian consortium which is going
to be established with the EU support to transport the Caspian gas to Europe and
gas provision of the region.
Question: Thank you, I am Aida Aliyeva. I am a representative of the Forum of
Azerbaijani Students of Europe. I study in the university of Brussels.
Distinguished Mr. President, you gave information on economic record of our
country and development in other spheres. At the moment, a number of Azerbai-
jani students study in Europe and search for jobs after gradiuation. The European
academic circles are very satisfied with the Azerbaijani students. I would like to
know on perspectives of Azerbaijani students to be employed after their return to
Azerbaijan.
Ilham Aliyev: First it was asked on resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict
here. At the moment, negotiations are conducted by mediation of the OSCE Minsk
Group. The Minsk Group is chaired by three countries, the USA, France and Rus-
sia. They are leading countries in the world. France is the co-chair as a member
of the EU and there are also the USA and Russia. The conflict continues for 20
years. In your question you correctly pointed out that not only Nagorno-Karabakh,
but 7 regions beyond its administrative borders are under occupation. Azerbaijanis,
expelled from those 7 regions, are the main part of the IDPs, more than 700 thou-
sand of them. Today, everything was destroyed in those regions and there is no life
there. Armenians rooted out everything, destroying schools, hospitals, buildings
and mosques, even cemeteries. They maintain those lands as a means of exchange,
in order some day to make Azerbaijan agree with independence of Karabakh in
response of giving them back. It will never happen. They know very well that Kara-
bakh is a historical part of Azerbaijan. If we look into history, we can see when and
who settled Armenians on those territories. It happened nearly two hundred years
ago. Nagorno-Karabakh is an inseparable part of Azerbaijan. When Azerbaijan was
a member of the United Nations, Nagorno-Karabakh was a part of it. That is out of
question to divide Azerbaijan and grant independence to Nagorno-Karabakh.
There is one way which can result in the settlement of the conflict. Armenia must
pull out its armed forces from the region around Nagorno-Karabakh. We also agree
that peaceful operations can be conducted to ensure security for everybody. We
don`t see a problem in Armenia`s having a land corridor with Nagorno-Karabakh.
It may be done for the people living in the region to feel themselves secure. At
the same time we agree to grant the highest self-governing status to the Nagorno-
Karabakh within Azerbaijan. There is such experience in Europe. We can apply the
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best example of autonomy in the world.
Besides, I would like to note that what they say is illogical. They want indepen-
dence for Nagorno-Karabakh and say that Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh enjoy
the right of self-determination. But they have already realized their self-determina-
tion and have a state of Armenia. Tomorrow thay may also demand self-determina-
tion in the USA, France, Russia and other countries which they live in. If so, how
many Armenian states will be created? That is not a right approach. I hope that both
parties will assist restoration of the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan and creation
of opportunities of self-governance of the Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh within
the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan with close participation of the Minsk Group.
Concerning the next question, you spoke about the possibility of establishment
of the Caspian consortium in order to transport gas which will be extracted in the
offshore of the Caspian Sea and transport via the territory of Azerbaijan. We have
heard about this. We don`t know details about this group and what practical steps
will be taken and when. But from the very beginning, we have declared that every
country wants goods to be transported via its own territory. It might be oil, gas and
other goods.
Azerbaijan is in a suitable geographic location and, as I said before, this posi-
tion is based on existing infrastructure. If our eastern neighbours wish to carry their
goods via our territory, then we will create conditions for this. From this point of
view, we also support efforts of consumers for their easier access to hydrocarbure
resources.
Concerning Azerbaijani students, I can say that recently we started implemen-
tation of the State Program on education of young Azerbaijanis abroad. State Oil
Fund funds it. In a very short time, we plan to assist one thousand students for their
education abroad. We plan their good education abroad.
As regards their staying and working, you know, in a globalized world, today, a
number of people from the USA and Europe work in Azerbaijan. Azerbaijanis work
in Europe as well. I think it is normal. Everybody enjoys the right of education.
The government of Azerbaijan creates and finances this opportunity. Of course, our
level of development cannot be compared with that of the advanced countries of
the world. But one day, Azerbaijan will also change into an advanced country. As
regards employment, I can say that we could nearly eliminate unemployment as a
big social problem and created 760 thousand jobs.
I want to add one thing: a number of local and foreign companies in Azerbaijan
are headed by foreign citizens. It indicates that we need people with necessary
knowledge and competence. I hope that your education will assist you to find a
relevant job at home. I know that this pleases all Azerbaijanis and they wish to live
and work in their home country, and our country wish them back as well.