Azernews.Az

BAKU – President Ilham Aliyev has said outside forces opposed to Azerbaijan’s independent policy are seeking to put pressure on the country ``by provocative ways``.

"Azerbaijan is strengthening as an independent state. But some do not like our pursuing an independent policy, are angered by it, and make attempts to pressure Azerbaijan in various ways, including some provocative ones," President Aliyev told an annual conference in Baku devoted to the government’s ongoing five-year regional development program.

"We are pursuing an independent policy and protecting the interests of the Azerbaijani people. This is above everything for us," Aliyev said.

On the government’s anti-corruption efforts, the president said "this is not a one or two-year process or campaign", but "our thought-out choice".

"Those abusing people and putting forth baseless demands must be punished," he said, reminding that tough combat against corruption is ongoing throughout the country and it has already yielded fruit.

"Corruption and bribery is evil. It is a dire wound and a big stain upon us. We have to make sure that transparency is ensured in all areas."

Aliyev said the government was taking punitive action to fight corrupt practices. At the same time, he said, structural reform should be carried out in a way that would allow "completely eliminating grounds" for corruption and bribery.

Ramiz Mehdiyev, the head of the presidential administration, convened an anticorruption commission in late January, after which several ministries held sessions devoted to corruption. Several officials and public servants have been sacked since then.