Azerbaijan repeatedly demonstrated its real commitment to European integration – Top official
Building in less than a generation a modern, secular and democratic nation is not an easy task, head of Department of political analysis and information provision of Azerbaijani Presidential Administration Elnur Aslanov said.
In the article published by "The Economist", Aslanov said that
today Azerbaijan is a tolerant, multi-ethnic and multi-confessional
state, an emerging powerhouse that serves as the socio-political
and economic conduit between Europe and Asia.
"Azerbaijan is viewed by many as a strategic partner in the
South-Caucasus, including NATO, which counts on Azerbaijan's
east-west corridor to deliver about 30 percent of the coalition's
supplies bound for Afghanistan," he said.
"Azerbaijan has repeatedly demonstrated its real commitment to European integration," he said.
Aslanov also voiced his views towards the "Azerbaijan: How not to prepare for an election" article published by "The Economist" on Sept. 2.
"I welcome your coverage of the events that take part in the
political life of Azerbaijan," Aslanov said. "However, I would like
to express some concern over an online article, "How not to prepare
for an election", which painted the overall situation in the
country as black and white."
"Baku is fully aware that if you silence the media, you silence
informed citizens and freedom can be greatly compromised," he said.
"We support and protect a free and diverse media. The government
has no say in the form and content of hundreds of daily newspapers,
magazines and other products that roll off the printing press."
"Today Azerbaijan holds 39th place among 148 economies in the
Global Competitiveness report by the World Economic Forum in
2013-2014," he said. "This reflects many factors, including the
poverty rate, which has fallen from 50 percent in 2001 to 6 percent
today."
Aslanov emphasized that free and fair elections are a cornerstone
of all forms of democracy.
"The outcome will matter," he said. "At stake is the continuing
economic growth and regional security that has placed Azerbaijan in
the global mainstream. With this in mind we are committed to doing
everything we can to make sure that these elections are
transparent, free and fair."