The statement came from chief of the department of political analysis and information of the Presidential administration of Azerbaijan Elnur Aslanov during the speech at the official opening of the Youth Festival in Ganja.
"This year is of great importance for Azerbaijan - we are celebrating the 20th anniversary of the restoration of state independence. During these years a new generation, a new way of thinking and new activities formed in the country", said Elnur Aslanov.
According to him, the current world order represents the formation of new states, bringing together East and West, North and South, Islamic and Christian culture: "Azerbaijan is one of such states".
"Peaceful coexistence of representatives of various nationalities and religions in Azerbaijan turns the country into a model of a tolerant state”, said Elnur Aslanov.
The representative of the Presidential Administration said that Azerbaijan is the author of large-scale and ambitious initiatives and projects. Besides, he added that Azerbaijan was the first country to open the Caspian energy resources to the world markets.
Aslanov noted that 20 years ago Azerbaijan's budget was $500m, and now it reaches $20bn.
"Azerbaijan is going to turn ‘black gold’ into intellectual capital", he said.
As for the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, Elnur Aslanov said that the occupation by Armenian armed forces of 20% of Azerbaijani territories has turned a million of Azerbaijanis into refugees and internally displaced persons.
"By the number of refugees and internally displaced persons Azerbaijan takes the first place in the world. This problem has not still found its solution because of the destructiveposition of Armenia", Aslanov said.
"We demand justice and liberation of our lands and the return of our compatriots to their ancestral lands. This is not propaganda, this is the truth”, he said.
Elnur Aslanov urged the participants of the festival to bring the truth to their friends.
He expressed confidence about the success of the festival, the Days of the States, whose representatives take part in them, as well as about familiarizing with the culture, history and traditions of Azerbaijan.
1news.az/news.az
