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President Ilham Aliyev: Azerbaijan is the first
country in Muslim East that created the democratic republic. It was
first to create the democratic parliament, it was first to give voting
right to women. Traditions of modernity and enlightenment in our country
have deep roots. And this is the basis on which we build the modern
state. I view our country as a modern, democratic state with the
supremacy of law, with a very strong social policy, developed economy
and powerful traditions in the region. Most of the things that I was
talking about have already been reached.
From author: Ilham Heydar oglu Aliyev was born in Baku
on 24 December 1961. In 1982 he graduated from the Moscow State
Institute of International Relations. From 1994 until 2003 he was the
vice president of the State Oil Company of Azerbaijan. On 4 August 2003,
he was appointed the prime minister of the country. On 15 December 2003
he was elected the President of Azerbaijan.
Mikhail Gusman: Azerbaijan’s achievements are
impressing in industry, economy, agriculture and international arena.
What do you think is the reason of these achievements?
President Ilham Aliyev: When I took over the
presidential office and even before that in the election period, I
stated that in case I gain trust I will continue the policy of my father
that led Azerbaijan out of the series of chaotic events,
disorganization and the period of semi-collapse. As for important
decisions that were taken, I would like to note the ones, which
influenced the strategic development of Azerbaijan. This is primarily
the program of regional development of the country. This was one of my
first serious political steps, initiatives, since it was clear that it
was necessary to reduce and eradicate disproportion between capital and
regions.
From the author: Over the past eight years the economy
of Azerbaijan has grown 300%, industrial production by 300% and 950,000
new jobs have been created.
President Ilham Aliyev: And when the rapid growth and
process started, inertial power got involved. New initiatives started to
appear from the spots. A unique spirit of creation appeared in the
society, this was a public sentiment which helps us much.
Mehriban Aliyeva: The link between people, between
politicians, between the leadership of the country and the people is
undoubted and is obvious. Therefore, in this sense, I think it is
possible to speak about the trips to the regions, the constant, almost
permanent contacts, which Ilham has with people of different
professions. It is impossible to play the sincerity, the love they show
for him. These are absolutely sincere feelings.
Author: The year of 2011. Azerbaijan… Per capita GDP
made about $6,000, monetary incomes of the population have grown by 19
percent, pension makes 40% of the average salary.
Mikhail Gusman: Azerbaijan has recently been elected
the non-permanent member of the Security Council. What are the tasks and
capacities of Azerbaijan as a non-permanent member of the UN Security
Council?
President Ilham Aliyev: This victory is among the most
and probably is the most significant and important victory in the
history of independent Azerbaijan. This victory is the reflection of
what we did both inside the country and on the international arena.
Through 20 years of independence we attained the support to our
candidacy from 155 countries. Our membership in the Security Council
will have a practical effect, not only for provision of interests of our
country, including on the most complicated and painful issue for us-the
issue of Nagorno Karabakh. We will naturally keep this issue a focus of
the Security Council. But we will also strive to contribute to
strengthening peace, security and cooperation.
Mikhail Gusman: You have mentioned, as I understand,
the most painful problem-the problem of Nagorno Karabakh. It is the most
complex knot of political problems. Do you think it is the knot that
can be untied by dragging out the ends of the threads that create it or
is it a Gordian knot which can only be cut down?
President Ilham Aliyev: In your question, you were
right to accentuate attention on the ways which exist. In fact, there
are two ways. The ways of the conflict settlement lay in the area of
international law. Fulfillment of the resolutions of the UN Security
Council where we take part must be ensured. There are four of such
resolutions. They all demand the same-for the territorial integrity of
Azerbaijan to be restored. This is our sovereign right, and it is our
sovereign right to restore the territorial integrity of our country not
by political means but through armed ways. We have such a right in line
with the UN Charter. We just do not want to use it now.
Mikhail Gusman: You take trips to the regions many
times a year. I think every week you visit a region. I think that oil
revenues help this regional policy. This is clear. Anyway, what is the
main goal now?
President Ilham Aliyev: Of course, the oil factor
helped us a lot. But this is also our contribution. Because oil exists
in many countries. And many countries have much more oil than we do. But
the correct use of resources, equitable distribution of national
wealth, as well as the maximum transparency in spending and accumulation
of funds led to a situation when our currency reserves are growing year
by year, and in 8 years, poverty fell by 5 times - from 49 to 9 percent
. We are launching the first Azerbaijani telecommunications satellite
next year. We create the space industry. That is, we look much farther
than anyone might think.
From the author: Year of 2011 ... Foreign exchange
reserves of Azerbaijan grew by 11 bn and exceeded $ 40 bn. The oil
economy grew by 8.2 percent, while growth in agriculture made 7.8
percent.
Mikhail Gusman: Azerbaijan celebrated great success in "Eurovision" in the year of the 20th anniversary of its independence...
President Ilham Aliyev: The whole Europe voted for us.
Almost the whole Europe. And we won with a big superiority. Of course,
this is the victory of our performers. But at the same time, of course,
it is perceived here as a victory in a broader sense. And, of course,
such victories are consolidating.
Mehriban Aliyeva: There broadcasts from the streets in
Baku. They showed not just young people, but also people of completely
different ages. They were on the streets with banners, flags, and their
eyes radiated happiness. Now we seem to have reached the peak, we are
the winners. But this does not mean that we should stop. Now we are
preparing for "Eurovision-2012" in Baku.
President Ilham Aliyev: I'd note the victories in
sport where every victory of our athletes becomes a great national
holiday. We have Olympic champions, world champions. Every victory in
sports creates a positive, emotional impulse in society.
Leyla Aliyeva: It's surprising that he is so happy
with the victory in every competition, which involves Azerbaijan, and he
so upset when we lose ... I think that even the athletes do not get as
much upset.
President Ilham Aliyev: No less important are the
victories of which I spoke including the ones that occur every day,
every week and every month. A new road, a new school, an artificial
satellite, a new gas pipeline, and so on and so forth.
Mikhail Gusman: I have a file here. I think you've
never seen it, even though it is entirely dedicated to you. This is a
private affair of the student Aliyev Ilham. I do not think you have ever
seen it.
President Ilham Aliyev: This is a secret document.
Mikhail Gusman: There are many interesting documents,
references, comments. Well, you know, a special certification was given
after each course in MGIMO. In general, you were always praised. But in
the first year, I've noticed, that your teachers complain that you ran
away from the lessons. Though you had good marks, you still missed the
lessons. So I have a simple question. Where did student Ilham Aliyev run
from MGIMO, the old building at that time?
President Ilham Aliyev: But as you pointed out, it was only on the first course.
Mikhail Gusman: The second is better. Honestly,
everything is recorded here. These are the official documents, stamps,
signatures, names of teachers.
President Ilham Aliyev: I think for a young man, who
studied 10 years in Baku, it is quite natural to use the maximum time
for sightseeing while being in a new environment in such a beautiful and
big city like Moscow, especially in the first year,. But judging by
what you said, it was in the old building at MGIMO, you probably can
guess where I ran. Across the road, as you may recall, is the Gorky’s
Park of Recreation and Culture. That's where we were with friends ...
Mikhail Gusman: So, it was a favorite place in Moscow.
President Ilham Aliyev: Well, it was the closest place from the institution ...
Mikhail Gusman: Where you could run away.
President Ilham Aliyev: Where you could run away and then return.
Mikhail Gusman: You know, I have asked this question
on purpose, because I believed that your youth is not erased completely
from your memory. Certainly, the generation is different now. What are
the pros and cons of today's younger generation, when compared with the
years of your youth?
President Ilham Aliyev: I believe that today's youth
is, of course, more independent, more probably, motivated and
professional. Today's youth – judging by what's happening in our country
– has a huge desire to succeed, it has the full understanding that
success is possible only with a good education. I am also pleased that
our young people are very attached to their roots, despite
globalization, despite all the new trends, the majority listen to
Azerbaijani music.
Mehriban Aliyeva: Mugam arises a special interest
because it is really a spiritual music. It is has an unexplicable spirit
- the spirit of the people, the spirit of history, the spirit of
tradition. We began to hold mugam concerts, mugam contests, more and
more young people become interested in this music.
Mikhail Gusman: Do you remember this file?
President Ilham Aliyev: Not at all.
Mikhail Gusman: It's your dissertation. Here is the
essay. This thesis is devoted to the anti-war movement in Britain at the
present stage and the attitude of the political parties.
President Ilham Aliyev: I remember this name.
Mikhail Gusman: In this connection I have a question
related to foreign policy, which, I understand, is professionally close
to you. Azerbaijan has, of course, a unique geopolitical location. How
do the geopolitical factors influence your policy?
President Ilham Aliyev: Of course, we are part of the
region. And the processes that occur in the region, whether we like it
or not, affect us. But my job as a President is to minimize the negative
influence of processes in the region on Azerbaijan, and vice versa, to
maximize the capabilities of Azerbaijan to influence regional processes.
As for the economy, the economy of Azerbaijan constitutes 83 per cent
of the economy of the entire South Caucasus. It will continue growing
further. Today no project is impossible without Azerbaijan, neither
energy, no transport, no foreign policy.
Mikhail Gusman: Russia is a neighbor Azerbaijan. You
have established political contacts, professional contacts with former
Russian President Vladimir Putin and incumbent Dmitriy Medvedev. You
have what is called "personal chemistry", as they say at the MGIMO
University on the topic. What is your vision of the prospects for
cooperation between Russia and Azerbaijan? Are there sick points or any
untied knots? On the other hand, what are the prospects for this
development?
President Ilham Aliyev: Prospects seem very positive
to me. As you noted, I have a very close interaction, and very close
contact with the Russian President and Prime Minister. I must say that
the new stage of development of relations between Russia and Azerbaijan
started at the beginning of the 2000s, when Russia was headed by
Vladimir Putin and he made his first official visit of the President of
Russia to Azerbaijan. Much has been done over the past decade. In brief,
all painful or complicated issues in bilateral relations been resolved.
All. None is left. The latter was resolved during the recent visit of
President Dmitriy Medvedev to Azerbaijan. An agreement was signed on the
state border.
Mikhail Gusman: You have received an excellent
education in the Russian MGIMO. But I think I would not be mistaken if I
say that you received key lesson in politics, diplomacy, vision, life
and vision of the world from Heydar Aliyev. What are the main lessons
that you received from Heydar Aliyev and use today?
President Ilham Aliyev: For each man, his father is a
close, dear friend. For me, it is the man whom I treat and treated with
infinite respect, trust and admiration. Because all his life, struggle,
and fate, and persistence is an example to follow. And, perhaps, many
remember the last period of his life when he appeared before the young
cadets, he felt bad, he lost his balance and fell down, then left, then
came back and fell again. And he went out again, came back and finished
his speech. I do not think anyone else at his age and in this state - he
had eight fractured ribs, a man who was nearly eighty years old - would
have done the same thing. But he did it. He could not do otherwise.
This was his nature. This was his courage and fortitude. And, of course,
he is an example for all of us - for me and for all Azerbaijanis.
Mikhail Gusman: Imagine that you are able to return to the past. What events of the past would you like to experience again?
President Ilham Aliyev: I think I probably would not
want to. Because if you have already gone through once, the second time,
even the happiest event will not have the same effect. If it were
possible, I would go into future. For example, into 10 years forth. I
would see whether what I planned have succeeded and to what extent.
That's what I would do with pleasure. Well, from the past, if it were
possible to go back, I would, of course, returned to my mom and dad.
Mehriban Aliyeva: It will soon be 29 years that we are
together with Ilham. Naturally, like in any other family, our life was
full of very happy, joyous, bright events. There were problems and
difficulties. There were irreversible losses, grief and sorrow. The main
thing is probably that we went through this all together. We look and
we move in the same direction.
President Ilham Aliyev: It would probably sound banal.
I am in this case not different from the vast majority of people on
earth. The best time for not only recreation, but in general, the best
time during the day is the evening at home with the family. At the
moment I cross the threshold of the house in the evening, I plunge into a
completely different environment in which I have been for more than a
decade.
Mehriban Aliyeva: It is a great thing to preserve
emotional vulnerability, sensitivity, openness, kindness despite having
such a great engagement. I am also very grateful to him for this. If we
talk about him as a father ... It is probably better to ask the girls.
But above all he is a good friend.
Leyla Aliyeva: Despite the fact that he rarely makes
any comments, never imposes any point of view, for me the most important
thing in life is not to disappoint him in any way.
Arzu Aliyeva: I know that, no matter what, he would
always listen, always support, and whatever he recommends, I am sure I
can trust him one hundred percent.
Leyla Aliyeva: Of course, there is a big responsibility, and, perhaps most of all I feel responsible before my dad.
Arzu Aliyeva: When the family is next to him, when I,
Leila, little Heydar, grandchildren are next to him, I see that my
father is really happy at those moments. And this gives a good mood to
everyone.
Mikhail Gusman: Heydar Aliyev Foundation, headed by
your wife, first lady Mehriban Aliyeva conducts large-scale promotion
activities to popularize Azerbaijan in Rome, in Vatican City. Everyone
knows the public temper of Mehriban khanum. She does a tremendous work,
she is the UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador, and the MP. This is great. But,
as I understand, this means total employment. I know that she hurries
home every time. Where is the balance, and how do her priority meet
yours?
President Ilham Aliyev: Of course, it is a very high
social burden, and even the functions of the first lady require huge
efforts and protocol events and so on. We are often next to each other
during the year. The times when we are next to each other happen when we
have to attend events. She is a very talented person, talented in
everything. Therefore, she has time to do everything and does it on a
high level.
Mikhail Gusman: Ilham Heydarovich, whether you want it
or not, the coin is on the road. Much has been done. Certainly, you can
know enjoy your fame. But as I can judge, it does not feature you. What
is your vision of the goals you set for the next half a century?
President Ilham Aliyev: Frankly speaking, I do not make
predictions for future in my life. But I have to do it as a president.
Because if you do not think about future, it is very difficult to settle
the issues of today, since most initiatives that we carry out are
targeting the future. The world is moving forth and we need to be in
time. Who is to dominate in the world in the coming decade? Those, you
are smarter. Only those.
Mikhail Gusman: What do you think should be taken from the past for it to accompany you all the time?
President Ilham Aliyev: A sense of self-esteem cannot
be left in the past whatever happens. Decency and good attitude to
people, feeling of patriotism are the main moments which, I think, must
be carried with you. It is necessary to have eternal love for Homeland.