Ilham Aliyev: Political independence was out of question without economic independence

“We had to strengthen the economy and understood very well that if we hadn’t achieved this, we wouldn’t have been able to expel the enemy from our lands,” Azerbaijani president, Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces Ilham Aliyev said, speaking to the servicemen in Shusha, Report informs.

“Political independence was out of the question if economic independence hadn’t been achieved. We could have found ourselves in a dependent position. Many countries today are in a dependent position and that is why they cannot show their will. Political independence has allowed us to build relations with all partners on the principles of equality, mutual respect, non-interference in each other’s affairs. Thus, one of the main conditions for the liberation of our territories was ensured,” the president said.