Azernews.Az

Azerbaijan's all-around development and growth of its economic potential are among the major factors that provided the success achieved in the country's independent foreign policy.

Head of the Department of Public and Political Issues of Azerbaijani Presidential Administration, Ali Hasanov made the remark in an interview with Trend Agency.

He said that in 2013 Azerbaijan was active within framework of international organizations, which the country is a member of, and also strengthened multilateral and bilateral cooperation.

Hasanov said that, last October, during its UN Security Council Presidency, Azerbaijan brought up for discussion such global issues as peace and international security, fight against terrorism and conflicts settlements.

"A summit meeting under the topic 'Strengthening the partnership synergy between the United Nations and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation' was held for the first time in the UN's history at Azerbaijan's initiative," Hasanov said.

He went on to add that Azerbaijan, during its two-year activity in the UN Security Council has once again proved that the country can contribute to establishment of global security, stability, tranquillity and peace in the entire world and development of inter-civilizational and inter-cultural dialogue and makes every effort in this direction.

"During this time Azerbaijan has established close working relationships and partnerships with the UN member countries, the governing bodies of organizations and other international institutions. The UN Security Council has become a tool for informing the world community about the realities of Azerbaijan and means of preserving attention towards settlement of the Armenian-Azerbaijani Nagorno-Karabakh conflict fairly, within international law," Hasanov said.

He said 2013 also was an important year in terms of informing the world community about the Armenian-Azerbaijani Nagorno-Karabakh conflict's realities and the world community's support for Azerbaijan's fair position.

"I would like to note that the decisions and resolutions of the UN, the European Parliament, OSCE, Council of Europe, Non-Aligned Movement, Organization of Islamic Cooperation and other influential organizations supported Azerbaijan's territorial integrity and expressed a demand to the Armenian government to liberate the occupied lands," Hasanov said.

"Parliaments of nine states - Pakistan, Mexico, Colombia, Czech Republic, Romania, Serbia, Peru, Panama, Bosnia and Herzegovina, have recognized the Khojaly genocide. Legislative bodies of 13 U.S. states have adopted documents recognizing the Khojaly massacre as one of the biggest tragedies of modern times, as a genocide," he stressed.

The high-ranking official noted that Azerbaijan's rapid socio-economic development, establishment of a modern society, major achievements in domestic and foreign policy, global initiatives that were put forward, naturally led to Azerbaijan's growing influence on the international arena and its importance for the international community.

"Azerbaijan was able to attract the attention of the entire world for its independent policy, experience of economic development, cultural heritage, example of tolerance and success achieved in sports. The country's potential and experience, gained in recent years, allow it to hold any event at a worthy level," Hasanov said.

He noted that 2013 was marked in Azerbaijan with holding numerous events at the regional and international level.

"Holding of the first South Caucasus Forum, 2nd World Forum on Intercultural Dialogue, the US-Azerbaijani forum, 3rd Summit of the Cooperation Council of Turkic Speaking States, Davos Economic Forum, 3rd International Humanitarian Forum, numerous sporting competitions and other major events, has clearly shown that the country is becoming a center of economic, political and humanitarian dialogue of the global scale," Hasanov said.

"On the other hand, these events have made an important contribution to discussion and settlement of important issues of the region, strengthening the friendly and fraternal relations among Turkic states and inter-cultural dialogue at the world level, strengthening humanitarian cooperation and organizing effective discussions of global economic issues", he noted.

Hasanov further said the significance of the events that took place in 2013 is great enough from the point of view of realization of Azerbaijan's strategic priorities, ensuring the country's dynamic development and fulfilling the tasks before the society.

"Under President Ilham Aliyev's leadership Azerbaijan has become a dynamically developing democratic country that has attained great success in the socio-economic sphere, possessing a great international influence. Azerbaijan has strengthened its status as political, economic, humanitarian center of the South Caucasus and began to play a major role in addressing global challenges and in adoption of decisions that regulate the international relations system," he said.

Hasanov said the passing year's distinctive feature was the Azerbaijani people's unambiguous support for continuation of the policy, the foundation of which was laid by the national leader Heydar Aliyev, and which is being successfully implemented by President Ilham Aliyev.

"As you know presidential elections were held this year in Azerbaijan. The elections, which were held in a democratic environment, with high civic and electoral activity and with great interest from both international and local public, have once again proved that the Azerbaijani society has no serious difference in opinions regarding the country's future and its path of strategic development," Ali Hasanov said.

Even long before the election, experts and political analysts said President Ilham Aliyev is the undisputed leader, the results of all opinion polls confirmed that the head of state will once again achieve a landslide victory, he said.

"For instance, a survey conducted as part of the 'EU Neighbourhood Barometer', showed that 92 percent of Azerbaijan's population believe in their government. This means that the absolute majority of the population is satisfied with the work conducted by Ilham Aliyev and is ready to once again put its trust in the Azerbaijani president," Hasanov said.

"All objective polls clearly showed the people's close unity with Ilham Aliyev. It is no coincidence that over 1,200 observers, representing nearly 100 countries and about 50 organizations, including the influential international structures, said that the elections were held in fully democratic, transparent and fair conditions, and noted Ilham Aliyev's worthy victory".

Hasanov went on to say that the Azerbaijani people, again put their trust in President Ilham Aliyev, praised the work carried out so far, and expressed an unequivocal support for the president's plans regarding Azerbaijan's future and areas of national development.

"Therefore the presidential elections and their logical result should be considered the most important event for our nation and statehood in 2013," Hasanov said.