President of Azerbaijan: "Azerbaijan is a democratic state today"

"Through the past five years Azerbaijan has strengthened and consolidated its international positions," said President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev during a reception upon completion of his inauguration ceremony held at Gulustan Palace, Day.Az reports with reference to AzerTac.

He voiced pride that through the past five years Azerbaijan has passed a great way of development both in the sense of economic progress, consolidation of our international positions, conduction of political reforms and democratic development.

"In the next years we must not contend ourselves with the attained success, though the country has strengthened its potential owing to implementation of infrastructural projects and profound reforms", said the head of the state.

He said Azerbaijan is already a modern state. Yet the process of modernization has no limits and borders. This is an eternal process, according to the President.

"Today Azerbaijan is a democratic state. But democracy is endless. This is an eternal process. In the coming years we will undertake additional measures for modernization of our country. It is planning to implement projects in the sphere of application of new ICT in Azerbaijan. We will implement definite programs in the sphere of education, public health, for solution of all social issues. We are preparing the second stage of the program of regional development, which will in turn play an important role in the settlement of major economic and infrastructural issues and social problems in the next five years". said Aliyev.

He stressed the intention to remain loyal to our independent course in external policy. According to the President, Azerbaijan will further put forward its initiatives for development of bilateral relations with friendly states.

"We will take an active part in international organizations. I am confident that our cooperation with international organizations will be successful and based on the mutual interests", said the President.

The head of the state stressed the need to ensure national interests of Azerbaijani people, strengthen statehood in Azerbaijan, take additional measures in the sphere of state formation, provide for supremacy of law, strengthen its state independence, put an end to poverty in Azerbaijan.

At the end of the speech, the head of the state assured that he will further contribute to the comprehensive development of Azerbaijan.

/Day.Az/