President of
the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev held today a meeting of the Cabinet of
Ministers on the results of socio-economic development in the first half of
2020 and tasks for the future. The head of state made a speech at the meeting.
Speech of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev:
- As every
year, this year we will also discuss the socio-economic results of six months
according to the plan. This tradition bears fruit, because the meetings analyze
the work done, the mistakes made, and determine the practical steps for our
future activities. Naturally, at the beginning of each year, a decision is made
on the work to be done during the year, an action plan is approved. But life
does not stand still. It changes, new challenges appear. In this case, of
course, we must adjust and adjust our plans. The main purpose of these
adjustments is to speed up and ensure the successful development of our
country. Therefore, we will traditionally discuss these issues today.
But first I would like to inform the public about the events that have
taken place in recent days in the Tovuz direction of the Armenian-Azerbaijani
state border. As you know, on 12th of July the Armenian armed forces
inflicted an artillery strike on the Azerbaijani positions, as a result of this
surprise strike, our servicemen were killed and injured. Following this,
Armenia, as always, tried to present Azerbaijan as the instigator of this
provocation, although this does not fit into any logic. We do not have any
military targets on the Armenian-Azerbaijani state border. As you know, several
years ago, on my instructions, the protection of part of the border was
assigned to the border troops. This suggests that we do not have any military
plans in this direction, in principle; this does not represent any value from
the point of view of military goals. In addition, to justify the “Azerbaijani
sabotage” Armenia tried to present a completely stupid and, I think, a reason
corresponding to their level. Allegedly, two Azerbaijani servicemen, having
violated the Armenian border in a UAZ vehicle, tried to commit military
sabotage. The question is which country’s army is organizing an attack in a UAZ
car with two officers and soldiers? Maybe the Armenian army is preparing such
“wise” military operations? But neither the Azerbaijani nor any other army of
the world will take such an unwise step. That is, the main reason for
presenting this absurd version by Armenia is, as always, to blame us. But this
time no one believed it. You don’t need to be a military specialist to
disbelieve this absurd version. In fact, the situation was that, I want to say
again, an artillery strike was struck at our military post, and as a result of
this sudden dirty action, our servicemen were killed. I immediately gave all
the relevant instructions. I gave an instruction to the Armed Forces of
Azerbaijan to avenge our servicemen, their blood should not remain on the
ground, and the enemy should be dealt such a blow so that he will remember him
for many years. At the same time, the Presidential Administration, the Cabinet
of Ministers, and relevant structures were instructed to inform all international
organizations about this sabotage of Armenia, to provide full information about
what happened. I immediately called a meeting of the Security Council, at which
I noted that as soon as the operational situation allows, we will invite
military attaches working in the missions of foreign countries in Azerbaijan,
journalists, if there is such a desire, other representatives of the embassies
in the region, we will acquaint them with the situation and they will see on
the spot who committed this provocation and the soldiers of which army died as
a result of this provocation.
I want to say again:
as a result of the operational measures taken, the Armenian army received a
worthy response. I have already said at the meeting of the Security Council
that the blood of Azerbaijani soldiers and officers should not remain on the
ground. They were dealt crushing blows, which I am sure became a good lesson
for them.
Despite this, yesterday and the day before yesterday, they again took
dirty actions, once again committed a military provocation, as a result of
which several of our servicemen were again killed, including General Polad
Hashimov and Colonel Ilgar Mirzayev.
This morning I spoke on the phone with the mother of General Polad
Hashimov, Samaya khanim, expressed my condolences, and wished her patience and
endurance. I assured her that the blood of her son, our hero, did not remain on
earth, we avenged him, and so it will be in the future. Glory to these mothers
for bringing up such brave sons for our people and state.
