Ilham Aliyev

Ilham Aliyev (born 24 December 1961) is an Azerbaijani politician currently serving and the fourth President of Azerbaijan, in office since 2003. He also functions as the Chairman of the New Azerbaijan Party and the head of the National Olympic Committee of Azerbaijan

Aliyev in 2023

Internal politics

• Our economy is very stable and we managed to develop even in the years of economic crisis. We managed to triple our GDP in less than 10 years
  • CNN TV interview during World Economic Forum at Davos (23 January 2013)

Nagorno-Karabakh

• What is happening and what may happen in the Nagorno-Karabakh and all the occupied lands is our internal affair. No international organization or country can interfere with our internal affair
  • While receiving a group of servicemen on the anniversary of the April victories of the Azerbaijani army (31 March 2017)

• During the April battles the Armenian leadership was completely exposed because they suffered a heavy defeat and did not receive any political support. But, in fact, they relied on that support very much. And when they did not receive that support they, as usual, started to accuse different countries. At the end of the day, they were forced to admit their defeat in the April battles. First, they said that they did not lose the lands. Then they said that these lands are unimportant. Then they said that they will retake these territories. All this is totally untrue. The Armenian leadership has put itself in such a ridiculous situation that Armenia still feels grave consequences of this.
  • While receiving a group of servicemen on the anniversary of the April victories of the Azerbaijani army (31 March 2017)

• We have hopes about that because the process which has continued for many years must lead to a peaceful resolution. But of course it will depend on the willingness of Armenia to comply to international law norms, to withdraw the troops from the international recognized territories of Azerbaijan, and then peace will be established
  • Euronews interview on issue of Nagorno-Karabakh (02 February 2010)
• This is a fundamental right of Azerbaijan, as I mentioned before, given to us by international organizations, including the United Nations. We can not afford the conflict to be in such a frozen situation for another 15 years.
  • Euronews interview on issue of Nagorno-Karabakh (02 February 2010)

Anti-corruption policy

• Strong political commitment, professionalism, honesty and integrity of prosecutors, the existing atmosphere of fight against serious corruption – these factors, I am sure, will help us achieve our goals. Azerbaijan should be at the forefront of the fight against corruption. I am sure that this will be the case. In the coming years, I want to say again, we should apply the experience of developed countries to Azerbaijan, not just to study it, as we have already studied it, but to apply it to each area. Transparency, honesty and integrity must become a way of life. I am sure that this will be the case.
  • During the opening of opening of a new office building of the Anti-Corruption Department under the Prosecutor-General of the Republic of Azerbaijan (30 September 2013)
• We have had significant achievements in political, economic and social spheres. A transparent public relations system has been created in our country, and the activity of democratic institutions, human rights and freedoms have been ensured. Legislation that meets international requirements, effective operation of specialized institutional structures, and ensuring transparency in public administration are the successes of our anti-corruption policy.
  • President Ilham Aliyev's opening letter to participants of the Third Meeting of the Heads of Anti-Corruption Organizations and Ombudsmen of the Economic Cooperation Organization Member States (6 June 2017)

• “ASAN service” brought novelties into the relationship between citizens and civil servants. It gave us even more strength in the struggle against corruption. It showed that it is possible to fight corruption and win.
  • During opening ceremony of "ASAN Kommunal" Center No 1 (28 December 2016)

• I am pleased to know that other countries benefit from our experience. However, they do not refer to the “ASAN service” in some cases. On the other hand, we aim Azerbaijani citizens to benefit from the service. The number of appeals that submitted to the service outreaches 7 million. It is possible to note that 100% of the Azerbaijani people endorse the activities of the service. In fact, public services indicate the revolution in the field of anti-corruption.
  • During the meeting of Cabinet of Ministers dedicated to the results of socio-economic development in 2015 and objectives for the future
• There is complete transparency, no bureaucracy or bribery, and people are provided with a cultured service. In fact, this is the way it should be. "ASAN xidmət" is a very important institutional center not only in the field of public services, but also for society as a whole.
  • During the opening of Qabala regional “ASAN xidmət” center (10 August 2016)

• Ensuring efficiency in public administration, introducing the open government institutions, developing e-services, and fighting against corruption are the main directions of the state policy. Azerbaijan has strong political will for successful fight against corruption. The legislative framework was fully modernized and institutional reforms were implemented after the country joined the international initiatives in the fight against corruption.
  • President Ilham Aliyev's opening letter to the participants of the international "Fighting corruption: international standards and national experience" conference in Baku (30 June 2014)

Multiculturalism

• Today’s Azerbaijan is moving on this path. Representatives of all religions, nations live in Azerbaijan as one family. They should even more closely combine their efforts. We are proud of our history and our culture. Today, one of the oldest mosques of the world is situated in Azerbaijan. The Mosque of Shamakhi in the city of Shamakhi was built in 743 and currently, operates after restoration. At the same time, such a historical monument as the Church of Caucasian Albania, which is one of the oldest churches in Caucasus, is situated near the city of Shaki. Currently, that historical monument also operates after restoration and attracts many tourists.
  • During the opening of The V Baku International Humanitarian Forum (29 September 2016)

Quotes about

• One of the more surprising and ironic developments of recent times has been the dictators resurgence of hereditary autocracies in self-declared socialistic republics that nominally despise inherited power but have in fact created modern monarchies. In 1980, Kim Il Sung decreed his decadent if ruthless son, Kim Jong Il, ‘the great successor to the revolutionary cause’. Kim Jong Il acceded to the throne of the Kims in 1994 and called the West’s bluff by becoming a nuclear power while his people starved. Another hereditary dictator is Ilhan Aliyev, president of Azerbaijan — who, in 2003, succeeded his father Gaidar Aliyev, ex-member oft he Soviet politburo and Azeri dictator since 1993.
  • Simon Sebag Montefiore, Monsters: History's Most Evil Men and Women (2009), p. 314