Top official cites high expectations for Azerbaijani youth
By Nigar Orujova
A senior Azerbaijani official voiced great hopes bound with the local youth while addressing an event dedicated to the Youth Day, which was held in the capital Baku on Saturday.
Ali Hasanov, the Presidential Administration's social and political affairs department head, said Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev pays much attention to sports, youth, health, and beauty. He said further, "Youth Day, which is celebrated on February 2, was launched by national leader Heydar Aliyev. Starting from 1997, every year we award the worthiest and talented youth representing the Azerbaijani people in the country and beyond it."
Congratulating the youth representatives, Hasanov said that by availing of the suitable conditions provided today by the Azerbaijani state and President Ilham Aliyev, the youth should surpass the current generation with the achievement of success.
"Let the Azerbaijani youth move a few steps further than us, and properly represent our state and nation. Looking at the young people that gathered in this hall, I believe that it really will be the case, and the next generation will represent our state better than us," Hasanov said.
The young people, who excelled in various fields last year, were awarded at the event. The Bilasuvar region, located some 180 km to the southwest of Baku, was chosen the "youth capital" of Azerbaijan in 2013.
According to Youth and Sports Minister Azad Rahimov, who addressed the meeting, Azerbaijan is a young state and young people are its driving force.
Rahimov noted that youth makes up 66 percent of the Azerbaijani population -- which currently stands at more than 9.3 million people.
Stressing that youth policy pursued in the country is supported by the president, Rahimov said that the head of state supports projects that are important for young people.
Rahimov noted that Azerbaijani youth achieved great success in 2012 and will continue to make accomplishments in 2013.
This year, the Sports and Youth Ministry will encourage projects which give the youth a chance to follow the current trends, Rahimov told journalists.
"Last year, some 117 projects were realized with the Youth Fund's support, the amount for the programs made up 1,950,000 manats ($2,488,000). This year, about 5 million manats ($6.3 million) were allocated to the Fund under the president's initiative. 2 million manats have already been allocated for the approved projects," Rahimov said.
Speaking about youth unemployment, the minister said the problem is being solved every day by opening new jobs and the Youth and Sport Ministry will implement new projects in this regard.
"The state is implementing a number of projects to expand professional activity of youth. There are many institutions for youth to work in. The main task here is knowledge. The youth should pay attention to modern technology and join in new skills in this sphere," Rahimov said.
In recent years Azerbaijan adopted the Law on Youth Policy; the State Program on Youth of Azerbaijan was approved in 2005 and 2011. Nationwide youth forums are regularly conducted and 2007 had been announced Year of Youth in the country.
The main purposes of the youth policy in Azerbaijan are to create suitable conditions for physical, mental and spiritual development of youth, to assist in the realization of their skills and abilities, and the solution of their social problems, and guarantee the protection of their rights.
According to the national legislation dated May 5, 2007, people aged between 14 and 29 are considered young in Azerbaijan.