Ilham Aliyev

After the speech, a giant Azerbaijani flag was carried into the square by dozens of servicemen and raised on the world's highest flagpole.

News.Az publishes its own translation of the president's speech below.

Historic day

"Ladies and Gentlemen, dear Friends!

"I would like to warmly welcome you all. Today is a remarkable, historic day for our country. Today we are opening National Flag Square in Baku. I would like to congratulate you and all the Azerbaijani people on this occasion.

"The opening of National Flag Square is a truly historic, unforgettable event. This square is itself a wonderful piece of architecture. The upper part of the square covers three hectares and overall the square covers 60 hectares. The state symbols of Azerbaijan are on the square - the National Emblem, the text of the National Anthem and the map of the country. The National Flag Museum will also open on the square. Meanwhile, the state flag of Azerbaijan will be raised at the centre. This will be the biggest, highest flag in the world.

"The flagpole is 162 metres high and can be seen from any part of the city. This spot was selected for this very purpose. The area has been remodeled. Large parks, a seaside promenade will be laid here in future and wonderful conditions will be created for rest and relaxation. This work has already started. The promenade to be laid here will join the Baku seafront promenade.

"Major construction and installation work had been done to create the square. It is very pleasing that most of this work has been done by Azerbaijani specialists and employees. This proves that our strong potential can be seen in all spheres. Our capabilities have increased so much today that we can tackle any issue, create any architectural composition. I signed the decree to create the square on 17 November 2007. Work started immediately after it. Azerbaijani National Flag Day was established two years later on 17 November 2009.

"As you know, the Azerbaijani flag, our tricolor flag, was ratified by decision of the government of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic on 9 November 1918. From now on, Azerbaijan will mark 9 November as our country's National Flag Day. The reason these two decrees were signed on 17 November is logical and clear. The Flag of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic was first raised in Azerbaijan as the state flag on 17 November 1990. The flag of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic was ratified as the state flag in Nakhchivan under the leadership of great leader Heydar Aliyev at a session of the Supreme Soviet of Nakhchivan. At the same time, a petition calling for this flag to be adopted as the state flag of Azerbaijan was submitted in the Supreme Soviet of Azerbaijan.

"At that time more than a year was left to the collapse of the Soviet Union. Our path to independence started on that day. The adoption of the flag of the Democratic Republic as the state flag made Azerbaijan’s independence closer and gave a strong stimulus to the processes under way in our country. All of us remember those years. These were decisive years for the development and future of Azerbaijan. When Azerbaijan gained state independence, processes in the country were proceeding in a negative direction. The country was overwhelmed by anarchy and chaos. The prospects for the country’s development were vague and, in fact, Azerbaijan could have lost its state independence. As a result of the return of great leader Heydar Aliyev to power at the demand of the Azerbaijani people and thanks to their wisdom, Azerbaijan put an end to all the negative events and stability and development took over. Today Azerbaijani citizens are enjoying the results of this period of development.

"The years 1993-2000 were critical for Azerbaijan. Economic and political stability in Azerbaijan started in that period and the country could present itself to the world community. We  joined international organizations. The Azerbaijani flag was raised in all international organizations. Azerbaijan managed to build successful relations with foreign partners on the basis of mutual respect. We managed to attract vast resources to our country. These processes ensure Azerbaijan’s development today and they will define Azerbaijan’s successful development for decades to come. Azerbaijan has come a long way in those 10 years and the foundations of statehood have been laid in full. Today Azerbaijan is developing successfully on a reliable basis. All processes inside the country are developing positively.

"Internal stability, tranquility and sociopolitical order in Azerbaijan are among the main provisions of our success. We conduct economic and political reforms on this reliable basis. The process of democratization is conducted successfully in the country. Azerbaijan is achieving all its objectives. The financial and economic crisis that overwhelmed the world since last year has left a big trace. Despite this Azerbaijan managed to overcome this test with dignity. All the country's objectives and programs are fulfilled. Construction and remodeling work is under way throughout the country and economic reforms are continuing. Today Azerbaijan is a developing country.

One big building site

"The transition period in the economy has already ended in Azerbaijan. We must join the ranks of the developed states. We have set this objective and will achieve it. Azerbaijan has managed to take a worthy place in the international arena. The number of our foreign partners and friends is growing every day. Azerbaijan has a wonderful international image. Our foreign policy has the goal of securing the national interests of Azerbaijan to the maximum, strengthening the Azerbaijani state so that the Azerbaijani people can live much better,

"I would like to note once again that everything inside the country is proceeding positively. By conducting economic and social reforms, we ensure the successful economic development of the country and, at the same time, we have managed to attain great success in resolving social issues.

"Today Azerbaijan is one big building site. Construction work is under way across the regions and cities and social and infrastructure facilities are being built. The work done in Azerbaijan will define not only the near future of our country. The infrastructure created today and the projects we implement will prove effective 10, 20 and 30 years and will serve the Azerbaijani people. Our successful energy policy has created a basis to present Azerbaijan to the world community as a reliable partner. Today this practice has a very positive influence on what is going on inside the country. We have almost achieved all the objectives facing us in this sphere and we are trying to implement new projects on the basis of results already achieved. I am sure that we will achieve all our goals.

"We are economically a self-sufficient state. We are a country that does not depend on any external support. We have ensured our energy security, we are ensuring our food security and the only thing that can be said about the future of Azerbaijan is that it will be even brighter than the present. Though today we occupy high places not only in the post-Soviet area but also in the region and in general, people in Azerbaijan must live better every year. This is why we are carrying out all social programs, periodically raising wages and pensions and taking all measures to ensure the economic development of the country.

"We are a wonderful country with a beautiful landscape. Each corner of our country is wonderful. Each corner is being improved. We have rich natural resources. These resources increase our strength. We already have vast material opportunities. We do not depend on external assistance and we help others when necessary. This is the new direction in our policy. Azerbaijan will become an international donor in a few years and an action plan to achieve this goal is already being prepared. There is not a single issue in the economic and social sphere that Azerbaijan is unable to settle. However, today we have many issues that require resolution. But the main thing is that we know about these issues and how to tackle them. There are the mechanisms, financial resources and political will to tackle these issues. Any issue can be resolved through a combination of all these factors.

"We must all think about the future of Azerbaijan. We must ensure the security of our country and preserve the dynamic and rapid development rates in the country; Azerbaijan’s positions in the international arena should be further strengthened. Azerbaijan is already playing a very active role in processes in the region. In some cases it plays a decisive role. Our political and economic initiatives are being implemented which is profitable not only for us but also for those who have friendly ties with us. We will take more active steps in this direction and, thereby, secure a confident and successful future for our country.

Independence the greatest happiness

"Alongside all these important issues, today at this wonderful square I would especially like to note the independent policy of Azerbaijan. Independence is the greatest heritage and greatest happiness. The Azerbaijani people have lived within other countries, been deprived of freedom, not been an independent country for many years and decades. This is a historic opportunity and the Azerbaijani people had another historic chance in 1991. As I have already mentioned, we could have missed this chance, this opportunity, if the Azerbaijani people had not made the right choice in 1993. Today our independence is already irreversible and eternal. We have been living as an independent state for some 20 years. We have overcome all difficulties with dignity and we have created a wonderful and strong country. We have created a country where there is every  liberty, where security, social welfare and economic growth rates are ensured, where representatives of all nations and all religions live as a single state, live in an atmosphere of friendship and accord, a country where national and religious tolerance are at a high level, and today Azerbaijan is listed as an example on these issues. This country was created by us. Today Azerbaijan is a dynamically developing, young but experienced country which is confident about its strength, which relies on its own potential, seeking to restore relations with all partners on the basis of mutual respect. Azerbaijan is already a big regional factor - a factor of stability, security and development. All our initiatives and projects are effective and bring profit to us and our partners. Not only vast financial resources but also strong will, courage and commitment to policy are needed for the implementation of these projects. Anyway, all the steps our country has taken so far have been in the right direction.

"Today we live as an independent state and take pride in it. We are proud of being citizens of Azerbaijan. We conduct an independent policy. The people of Azerbaijan are the masters of their fate. This is great happiness and great wealth. Previous generations lived with the dream of independence. However, this happiness was our destiny. We are not only witnessing this independence. We are working, acting to strengthen this independence. Every citizen, regardless of status, is committed to strengthen their country by their daily work, by their actions, labour, loyalty to the homeland and the steps they have taken. Today, Azerbaijani society has solidarity, national unity, national mobilization and  patriotic spirit. We must bring up the young generation in this spirit so that it is professional, patriotic and loyal to the homeland in Azerbaijan, as we must ensure a wealthy future of Azerbaijan for ever.

"I would like to note once again that the initiatives and steps taken today will yield fruit in decades to come. We must look into the future, think of the future, the ways Azerbaijan will develop in 20, 50 years. We should think about the resources that will be the basis of the successful development of our country. We are thinking about it and all work is designed to tackle current and future problems. We are independent and free people, we conduct our policy independently and there can be no happiness greater than this.

"I would like to repeat that today is a historic and unforgettable event in the life of our country. This square is a unique architectural monument. This flag is our national wealth. What's important is not that the flagpole is the highest in the world - a flag will probably bed raised higher somewhere in the next few years. This is not the point. The point is that the creation of this Flag Square demonstrates the power of Azerbaijan, the love of the Azerbaijani people for their state, our respect for state symbols. I am sure that in a few months, when construction work is complete, this magnificent square will be filled with people, just as thousands of people fill our parks and Seaside Promenade, they will gather at this square, under this flag, near the national symbols. A great panorama of Baku opens up from here. Below there are wonderful places to walk. Flag Square will become the cultural centre of Baku, the political centre of Azerbaijan. The creation of this magnificent square in Baku, the capital city of our country, is a really great event. Our flag is a source of pride. Our flag is our flesh and blood. Today the state flag is flying across Azerbaijan. After restoring its territorial integrity, our national, state flag will be hoisted on the occupied land. Our flag will fly in Nagorno-Karabakh, Khankandi, Shusha. We must use every moment to bring this day closer and that is what we are doing. Glory to the Azerbaijani flag! Long live Azerbaijan!”

AzerTAj