President Ilham Aliyev: Every year should be the "Year of the Environment"

Baku, April 17 (AzerTAc). “I would like to say a few words with regard to environmental protection. Several years ago, the "Year of the Environment" was declared in Azerbaijan. I remember saying during the discussion of the work done in the "Year of the Environment" that every year should be the "Year of the Environment" because the environment is one of the key issues, especially for Baku and the Absheron peninsula,” said President Ilham Aliyev in a meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers dedicated to the results of socio-economic development in the first quarter of 2014 and objectives for the future. “For years and centuries, there were oil ponds and contaminated places here. The situation was unacceptable from an environmental point of view. In recent years we have come a long way in this regard.” The Azerbaijani President noted: “There used to be an iodine factory in the city center. Subsequently its activities were stopped. But the iodine deposits remaining there were causing an enormous damage to the environment. We have cleaned this place as well, and this issue was also resolved at the highest level. The Balakhani landfill was burning and fuming for years. This smoke was enveloping the whole city and it was impossible to breathe. The smoke was causing problems not only to Balakhani residents, but also to the entire city. We have cleaned this place too. Currently, there is no waste and garbage on the landfill. Trees have been planted and there is no smoke there. Large funds have been invested in the construction and operation of a plant for the incineration of garbage. There are many examples like this.”