Address of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Heydar Aliyev to the participants of the Second Eurasian Media Forum - Baku, April 22, 2003

I am cordially greeting the participants of the Second Eurasian Media Forum held in Almaty, Kazakhstan.

Mass media plays a historical role in strengthening the interstate relations, in establishing friendly relations among the nations, in expanding the economic and cultural cooperation, in spreading the universal values.

During the globalization in the 21st century the role and responsibility of mass media is greater than ever. Mass media should help the nations get closer, open new opportunities for cooperation, also struggle against international terrorism, extremism and aggressive separatism. It demands the reporters professionalism, loyalty to universal and democratic values, and objectivity towards the events and facts. Because, mass media plays a leading role in the formation of a new universal mentality.

Azerbaijan, with its territories occupied by Armenia and with over one million refugees, suffers from terrorism and separatism, from indifference of the world community to its problems, from double standards, and the malicious position of mass media. Such a position is very threatening and helps terrorism, extremism and aggressive separatism. It is very important for the mass media of Eurasia which faces this kind of problems.

I hope that the journalists of Eurasia will expand cooperation and exchange of information mutually, contribute to peace and stability in our planet by using the modern communication technologies. I wish you luck!

Heydar Aliyev,
President of the Republic of Azerbaijan
 

The newspaper "Azerbaycan", April 24, 2003