Azernews.Az

By Nigar Orujova

Baku has hosted a conference on the successes and new objectives of Azerbaijan, organized by the ruling Yeni (New) Azerbaijan (YAP) Party, Trend news agency reported.

The conference, titled "Azerbaijan 2013: new targets, new victories", was attended by government officials, parliament members and representatives of diplomatic missions and international organizations.

Opening the conference, YAP deputy chairman Ali Ahmadov said the past year was successful for the people and government of Azerbaijan. He said Azerbaijan "is approaching 2013 with success".

Ahmadov said significant progress has been achieved in the economic and social spheres this year, noting the strengthening of the country's position in the world in 2012.

"In 2012, we witnessed progress and development and are entering 2013 with this mindset. New success will be achieved under the leadership of President Ilham Aliyev next year," he said.

Ahmadov noted that 2013 will be the year of presidential elections in Azerbaijan.

"The opinion and the position of the Azerbaijani people regarding the presidential elections have been determined. Azerbaijani people do not see any alternative to Ilham Aliyev. Ilham Aliyev and the Yeni Azerbaijan Party, which will put forward his candidacy, will win in 2013," the YAP deputy chairman said.

Speaking at the conference, First Deputy Prime Minister Yagub Eyyubov informed participants of the social and economic reforms carried out in the country under President Aliyev's leadership.

Today Azerbaijan has consolidated its position among world countries as a regional leader, Eyyubov said.

He highlighted the achievements in all sectors of the Azerbaijani economy. In particular, he stressed that Azerbaijan has fully ensured its energy security and turned from an energy importer into an exporter.

The deputy prime minister said around 135 billion euros have been invested in the country's economy since 2004.

Launching Azerbaijan's first satellite -- which will provide digital broadcasting, Internet access, data transmission and will also have other purposes -- will contribute not only to the development of the domestic ICT sector, but the economy as a whole, Eyyubov stressed.

Eyyubov said further that the policy founded by national leader Heydar Aliyev is being successfully continued by President Ilham Aliyev and is yielding fruit.

According to Deputy Prime Minister and chairman of the State Committee for Refugees and IDPs, Ali Hasanov, President Aliyev has fulfilled all his promises made in all areas, both during his first term in office and since 2008.

"President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev represents the whole population of the country. He fulfils all the promises he gave to the people.

"Today, all eyes are on Azerbaijan. There are many accomplishments and successes in the fields of education, healthcare and in the cultural and economic spheres," Hasanov said.

In a very short period, Azerbaijan has been elected a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council, has hosted the Eurovision song contest in Baku and will now host European Olympic Games, he said.

Hasanov said that in the last four to five years Azerbaijan has been one of the leading countries in the world in terms of GDP growth.

"The president of Azerbaijan has fulfilled all the promises given to refugees and IDPs regarding the solution of social problems. This year the construction of 76 villages was completed, 140,000 refugees and internally displaced persons were provided with housing. Whereas in 2003 the poverty rate among refugees and internally displaced persons was 75 percent, today this level is 16 to 17 percent.

"This year, $1,300 was spent on every displaced person. This is the highest indicator in comparison with those in other conflict zones in the world and in some cases it exceeds the world indicators two or three times," Hasanov said.

According to the UN, Azerbaijan is currently among the fastest growing countries of the world.

"The priority is to ensure that by 2020 Azerbaijan becomes one of the developed countries. Also, one of the strategic objectives of President Ilham Aliyev is reducing to a minimum the country's dependence on oil by 2020," Hasanov added.