President Ilham Aliyev gives instructions to newly appointed district governors

"You should take the initiative in the development of the districts," President Ilham Aliyev said at a meeting with the newly appointed heads of executive power of Masalli, Lerik and Goygol districts, Report informs, citing AZERTAC.

"In some cases, local executive bodies are a bit lazy. They either wait for some projects to be implemented by the state or for an entrepreneur to come and knock on their door. In some cases, various illegal and unreasonable demands are put forward to entrepreneurs. You should attract entrepreneurs to your districts yourself – both local and foreign entrepreneurs, especially since the tourism potential of Goygol, Masalli and Lerik districts is very rich. The fascinating nature of these districts is our great asset – forests, mountains, springs, rivers, waterfalls. In other words, I believe that one of the main priorities is to turn these districts into tourism centers," the head of state said.

He noted that a lot has been done in recent years.

"When I was in Goygol, Lerik and Masalli districts a number of times, I also enquired about this issue and gave my recommendations. I know that modern recreation areas and hotel complexes have been built in these districts, and of course this process should be stepped up. A few years ago, even before the Patriotic War, we opened Lake Goygol to the public. In previous years, in the years before the war, I wondered why it was impossible for people to come close to our Lake Goygol, to our natural wealth. This was explained by the fact that the area is close to the line of contact. After that, we started exploring and found that Lake Goygol could be opened as a travel destination on the condition of protecting the ecological condition and ecosystem of this lake. And we did that. Thousands of people come to Lake Goygol every day now, especially in spring and summer, to admire this beautiful view and especially after the Patriotic War, as we have already expelled the enemy from our lands. Of course, this beautiful place has tremendous importance for the development of tourism. At the same time, if we take into account the fact that a road is being built from Goygol district to Kalbajar district, a tunnel is under construction, this district has to make a special contribution to the development of the Kalbajar-Lachin zone.

Tourism potential is very rich in other districts as well. Since the Lankaran-Lerik road was in a dilapidated state, there was almost no tourist flow to Lerik district. On my orders, the road was overhauled and reconstructed. The flow of tourism to Lerik district has now started. This district also has a great history and great natural wealth. The same applies to Masalli district as well. Masalli district has mountainous and lowland areas. I want to say again that the tourism potential of these districts is quite rich," the head of state said.