Azernews.Az

British magazine Total Politics has published an article on Azerbaijan. Titled "Azerbaijan a new gateway to the world", the article highlights the country's social, economic, cultural and political achievements.

"Fast coming to prominence, Baku, the modern heart of Azerbaijan, is a garden of world-beating skyscrapers and stunning architecture, while the country's oil reserves could soon place it at the centre of world trade," the article says.

The article quotes Azerbaijan's First Lady, President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation Mehriban Aliyeva as saying: "Azerbaijan's success is obvious. The state budget has increased 16 times, thousands of schools, hundreds of health institutions and dozens of sports complexes have been built in the country.

The poverty level has decreased five times - from around 49 per cent to 9 per cent. Our lovely capital city, Baku, has changed much, as well as the outer-lying regions. This clearly demonstrates the scale and level of development in Azerbaijan. Today, the world knows Azerbaijan as an exporter of oil and gas, but our history and culture are important aspects of our national heritage."

The article says further that there has been a tangible 300 per cent increase in GDP during the last eight years, and implementation of various economic, social and environmental projects has strongly influenced the welfare of its nine million population.

"After gaining independence in 1991, the republic of Azerbaijan began pursuing an independent foreign policy, which targeted the systematic strengthening and development of statehood and the protection of national interests. Azerbaijan is building its foreign policy based on the norms of international law as well as the principle of respect for territorial integrity and sovereignty, and non-interference in internal affairs."

The Total Politics story says that guided by these principles and long-term national interests, Azerbaijani foreign policy stands as a staunch barrier against threats to its independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity and national security, at the forefront of which is defense against neighboring Armenia. As a result of this conflict, 20 per cent of Azerbaijani territories have been occupied, and around one million IDPs and refugees are unable to return to their homeland. This continues, despite the fact that the UN has adopted four resolutions demanding immediate withdrawal of troops from occupied territories.

In spite of this, the article says, it is a priority of Azerbaijan's foreign policy to establish regional peace and security, through the achievement of such strategic objectives as the implementation of co-operation, and major transport projects. The objective also includes attracting foreign investment. Azerbaijan has chosen a democratic path to development, based on bilateral and multilateral relations, in various fields, with the neighbors, to the equal and mutual benefit of all, it says.

"Azerbaijan has been expanding and deepening its activities as an independent state on regional and global levels. The country became a member of a number of international organizations, among others the UN, the Organization of Security and Co-operation in Europe, the Organization of Islamic Co-operation and the Commonwealth of Independent States. Azerbaijan is also one of the founders of the regional groupings of the Organization for Democracy and Economic Development (GUAM).

And Azerbaijan's special focus in the European arena has come about through both the republic's implementation of foreign policy and its deep interest in this global partnership. Modern circumstances create a unique opportunity for the formation of the European security structure and common welfare, based on a new model of influence and responsibilities, and on genuine partnership and co-operation. That is why Azerbaijan is working hard to develop its links with such organizations as NATO and the European Union. It is an active member of their anti-terror coalition in Afghanistan."