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The elections held in 2018 showed once again that radicals have no place in the political scene of Azerbaijan.The people of Azerbaijan once again showed their place to the factors that operate on the account of foreign grants and donations, speak out against their state, and in many cases demonstrate national betrayal. For this reason, in 2018, the people of Azerbaijan voted for the democratic reforms carried out in the country by voting for President Ilham Aliyev. The policy related to the development of democratic institutions is continuously implemented. Thanks to political independence, the Azerbaijani people are the owners of their own destiny.

On the basis of Ilham Aliyev's re-victory in the elections held in 2018, there were serious factors such as the fact that Azerbaijan experienced a period of dynamic development during the last 15 years under his leadership, and the successful implementation of the tasks facing our country. All the promises made by the President of Azerbaijan Mr. Ilham Aliyev in 2003 and the following years for the development of our republic and ensuring the peaceful living of our people were confirmed in life. During 15 years, Azerbaijan has stepped on the path of modernization, rapidly changing the stage of development that many advanced countries have been passing through for decades. The country's economy increased by 3.2 times, the non-oil sector by 2.8 times, industrial production by 2.6 times, agriculture by 1.7 times, and non-oil exports by 4.1 times. Azerbaijan's foreign exchange reserves increased from 1.8 billion dollars (2004) to 46 billion dollars (2018). 250 billion dollars were invested in the country's economy in 2003-2018. This means 93 percent of the investment invested in Azerbaijan during the independence period. Azerbaijan had risen to high places in the international rankings. The World Bank, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, and the Davos Economic Forum highly appreciated the reforms carried out in Azerbaijan. In the annual report of the Davos Forum called "Inclusive Development Index" (2017), our country ranked 3rd among 80 developing countries.

During the years 2003-2018, Azerbaijan further strengthened its position in the world community as the leading state of the South Caucasus. Non-interference in the sovereignty, territorial integrity and internal affairs of other countries has always been one of the main principles of our country's foreign policy strategy. In those years, a far-sighted foreign policy was implemented in the direction of mutually beneficial and equal cooperation with the international world, the realization of geostrategic interests, the fight against terrorism, and ensuring the prosperous and safe living of our citizens.

During the years 2003-2018, Azerbaijan implemented a pragmatic policy that provided for the efficient and affordable delivery of energy resources to the world markets and attracted the attention of the international community with its diversified transport infrastructure. All this was of great importance in terms of strengthening trade and economic relations between our country and the countries of the world and, first of all, ensuring the geo-economic interests of Azerbaijan. Besides the fact that our republic was one of the main initiators of transnational energy transport projects, our republic at that time also played an important role in ensuring regional and international security.

Among the achievements achieved in 2003-2018, the development of national culture should be noted. The attention and care given to the promotion of our national and moral values, the enrichment of our cultural life, and the purposeful policy implemented in this direction made it possible to achieve great accomplishments in the protection and promotion of our national culture on a world scale.

During the years 2003-2018, Azerbaijan was recognized in the world as a multinational country where multicultural values are developing. Our republic played an important role in ensuring inter-civilizational dialogue by locating in a place where different cultures meet. The existence of unity and interaction between different cultures in Azerbaijan has become one of the main features of our modern society.

Youth is the cornerstone of the existence and future development of the nation. Based on this position, a purposeful state policy regarding youth was implemented in our country during 2003-2018. Its main goal was the formation of Azerbaijani youth with high intellectual potential and loyal to statehood, national-moral values. The steps taken in this field played a significant role in the self-affirmation of young people in our society and had a great impact on their development as worthy citizens of our country.

During the years 2003-2018, the Armed Forces of the Republic of Azerbaijan, which protect the territorial integrity of our state, are on the same rank as the world's most powerful armies, and have high combat readiness were created. In April 2016, our National Army dealt a crushing blow to the enemy by giving a worthy response to the provocation of the Armenians and cleared part of our occupied territories from the invaders. Thus, Azerbaijan has taken a serious step towards the Great Return. At that time, each of us felt a great sense of pride when the flag of Azerbaijan was raised in the village of Cojug Marjanli, which was once occupied by Armenian usurpers, and this event created the foundations of the brilliant victory under the leadership of the victorious Supreme Commander-in-Chief in the 2020 Patriotic War. This glorious victory demonstrated the power of our people and state to the Armenian invaders, showed that our National Army is capable of liberating our occupied lands at any moment.

Apparently, the successes achieved by our country under the leadership of Mr. Ilham Aliyev during the years 2003-2018 inspired the citizens of Azerbaijan to actively participate in the presidential elections and once again support their leader who confidently leads our people to a prosperous future. Therefore, the absolute majority of voters voted for Mr. Ilham Aliyev was the necessity and logical result of the time.

Professor Karim Tahirov                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         

Adiba Ismayilova

Head of "Khagani 57" territorial party organization

of the New Azerbaijan Party of the Sabail district