Azernews.Az

By Gulgiz Dadashova

All the objectives set at the beginning of last year have been successfully met, President Ilham Aliyev made the remark at the meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers dedicated to the results of socioeconomic development in 2014 and objectives for 2015 last week.

“I can say that 2014 also goes down in history as a successful year for our country. Exactly a year ago we had an extensive exchange of views regarding the work to be done in the past year. We set important tasks and worked hard throughout the year. The world and the region witnessed different processes last year. We can say that tensions have significantly increased. However, Azerbaijan has managed to maintain a high pace of development. We provided for the security of our country and implemented economic and social programs. The Azerbaijani people lived in safety in 2014 as well,” President Aliyev said.

President Aliyev emphasized that Azerbaijan is going along the path of independence and development. “The economic and financial crisis that gripped the world a few years ago, as well as the negative events and conflicts taking place in the region, did not affect the successful development of Azerbaijan. The main reason here is the stability of the sociopolitical situation in Azerbaijan, the unity between the people and the government and the successful implementation of all our programs. Azerbaijan’s foreign and domestic policies enjoy popular support, and I am confident that as a result of the work to be carried out this year Azerbaijan will grow even stronger.”

Speaking about the country's economy, the president said the economy has grown by about 3 per cent. “Despite the fact that oil prices plummeted at the end of last year, the economy of Azerbaijan has increased by almost 3 percent. It is very delightful that our non-oil sector has increased by 7 per cent. This is a good example of the work carried out in the last few years and a manifestation of our policy. In the future, the non-oil sector will provide for even greater economic development of Azerbaijan. The development of the non-oil sector will enable us to achieve a diversified development of the economy and ensure its sustainable development.


“Inflation was very low – 1.4 per cent. This is also a great indicator. Incomes of the population have increased by 4.8 per cent, exceeding the inflation rate more than three times. I can say that there has been a picture in recent years when population incomes grow several times faster than inflation. And this has a positive effect on people’s well-being.


“The country's economy has received $27 billion in investments. Of these, $16 billion is domestic investment. This is also very gratifying. In recent years domestic investments have dominated the total volume of investments. At the same time, foreign investments in the amount of $11 billion show that Azerbaijan is an attractive country for foreign investors. Given the current environment and the extremely difficult situation observed in the world and the region, the attraction of foreign investments worth $11 billion is a great success.


“The exchange rate of the manat remains stable. For several years, the rate of the manat has been not only stable, it has also increased in comparison with the major world currencies. We saw this in the past year as well. This is also a very positive indicator because the stability of the manat primarily favors the well-being and leads to an increased purchasing power of the population. The rate of the Azerbaijani manat is stable. This demonstrates the success of our economic policy again,” the president said, noting that the country’s foreign exchange reserves

exceed $50 billion now.

President Aliyev highlighted that Azerbaijan’s main economic indicators for 2014 are very positive and in the past 11 years, Azerbaijan has been the fastest growing country in the world in terms of economic development.

The president also spoke about the social sphere, noting that this area is a constant priority, and this will continue to be the case this year too. “The construction of social facilities has been ensured. More than 60 medical centers and over 50 schools have been built and commissioned. Wages and pensions have been increased. The average monthly salary in Azerbaijan is approaching 600 manats. We will try to make sure that these rates become even more dynamic every year. A total of 400,000 people, or more than 90,000 families, are receiving targeted social assistance from the state. The state provides each family with an average of 155 manats, or about $200, a month.


“Currently the rate of poverty in Azerbaijan is 5 per cent. Poverty has dropped further last year, while unemployment is under 5 per cent. These are the results of our work. These figures in themselves confirm our successful development,” he said.

President Aliyev further emphasized that last year was declared "The Year of Industry" in Azerbaijan and there were established more than 230 industrial enterprises. “A total of 123,000 jobs have been created, of which nearly 100,000 are permanent. This process should also go fast because there is still a need for jobs in Azerbaijan. We still have unemployment. At the same time, the rapid economic development has had a positive impact on the demographic situation. Last year the population of Azerbaijan increased by 116,000 people. So the creation of new jobs should be a continuous process. This is the case now, and additional measures will be taken in this direction this year,” he said.

President Aliyev also noted that the country implemented several major projects in 2014

“Among them I want to emphasize the reconstruction of Heydar Aliyev International Airport. At the same time, we commissioned the ferry terminal of the Alat International Trade Seaport. So the first part of Phase I of this project has already been implemented. The Shamkirchay water reservoir has been commissioned. This is also an ambitious project that will give an impetus to the long-term and rapid development of our country. At the same time, we commissioned large industrial enterprises, including the “Norm” cement plant where cement production constitutes 2 million tons. By putting this plant into operation we have completely eliminated our dependence on imports and increased our export opportunities.



“Of course, other projects are also worthy of attention. Such major infrastructure and industrial projects can be implemented only in a strong state. We are following the processes ongoing in the world. We can see that different regions of the world are faced with a crisis – economic, financial and political. Under such circumstances countries not just hold back investments. They are cutting wages and pensions and axing jobs. Despite this, we are seeing a completely different picture in Azerbaijan. If we consider the fact that Azerbaijan has long been integrated into the world economy and is part of the global economy, such a success, of course, requires great effort and long-term and judicious policies. We have achieved this in a systematic and profound manner. These results suggest that Azerbaijan will successfully develop in the coming years too,” the president said.

Speaking about the plummeting oil prices, President Aliyev said Azerbaijan will come out of this situation with its head high, the rate of the manat will remain stable and economic development will be ensured.


“Last year we put our second satellite into orbit. This is also a great event. This is a project that has a special place among large-scale projects. We already have two satellites now. One is a telecommunications satellite and the other is a satellite observing the Earth. This is very important. Space industry in Azerbaijan is developing fast. We invest in new technologies and innovative projects. These projects serve the development of science, improve governance and at the same time prevent the still existing negative phenomena in society.

“We want everything in Azerbaijan to be done at the highest level. The elimination of negative trends in the social policy, economic development and governance will, of course, complete this beautiful picture. Work in this area is carried out in a consistent manner. We have a very strong political will. Our initiatives are supported by the people and our intentions already manifest themselves in life,” the president said.

President Aliyev further said Azerbaijan’s international relations expanded further last year.
“Azerbaijan pursues a very successful foreign policy both in bilateral and multilateral formats. Of course, in the bilateral format we had very close contacts, primarily with neighboring countries. Numerous mutual visits at the level of heads of state were organized. Work has been done on the development of bilateral relations with countries of Europe and Asia. Azerbaijan enjoys great respect in the world, is recognized as a reliable partner and our international authority is gradually increasing. Azerbaijan's role in the solution of regional matters and issues of regional cooperation is indispensable. We have put forward many initiatives. These initiatives are not just intentions. They are turned into tangible projects. The implementation of these projects, of course, enhances our capabilities and brings our country political and economic dividends.


“Last year we cooperated successfully with international organizations. Azerbaijan takes an active part in all international organizations we are members of, defends his position and makes a valuable contribution to the successful activities of these organizations. Last year we chaired the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe. It was a period of very successful presidency. During this period Azerbaijan made a huge and valuable contribution to the development of democracy, protection of human rights and justice in Europe. In particular, our country's experience is associated with multiculturalism is unique. I believe that if our experience were analyzed more broadly in the world, it would be possible to prevent many negative facts,” he said.

President Aliyev stressed that attempts to tarnish, sully and belittle Azerbaijan, a country that enjoys great authority in the international arena today, are all in vain. “They are completely futile and will never affect our policy. No outside force can speak to us in the language of ultimatums. Everyone should know this. We defend our position in all official statements and discussions held behind closed doors. We are far from double standards, and we believe that there is no room for double standards in international relations. These standards also work against those trying to apply them. We are seeing this from history and the developments unfolding in the world. Interference in internal affairs and coercion of someone into doing something – this does not benefit anyone. This violates stability, leads to bloody clashes in these countries and ultimately has a negative effect on those behind these bloody clashes. Today all countries of the world are connected to each other, and events taking place somewhere can reverberate elsewhere. I want to reiterate that our position is fair. It is based on international law. We have successfully defended and will defend this position.”


Speaking about the for the settlement of the Armenian-Azerbaijani Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, President Aliyev noted that unfortunately there was no progress in this direction last year.

“Last year too, Armenia simply chose the strategy of imitating the negotiations. I believe that it is no longer a secret to us and the mediators that Armenia does not want peace. Armenia does not want this conflict to be settled and does not want to vacate the occupied lands despite the fact that the presidents of the OSCE Minsk Group co-chair countries have repeatedly stated that the status quo is unacceptable. But these are just words. These are just words that are not underpinned by a serious policy. If the status quo is unacceptable, and it certainly is, then measures must be taken. It is necessary to put pressure on the aggressor state. It must be forced to withdraw from the occupied lands. Otherwise, it will be some sort of hypocrisy. “A statement is made but it is not followed by any work. Similarly, the UN Security Council has adopted four resolutions. For over 20 years none of them has been implemented. Why are some resolutions immediately implemented in other regions and are not implemented in our case? This is an injustice. These are double standards.

Azerbaijan sticks to a principled stand in this issue too. Our position is based on international law. Our position is reinforced by our army. Last year our army showed its power and what it is capable of. It showed the enemy and its patrons that the Azerbaijani army may restore its territorial integrity at any time. It would simply be better if this issue is resolved through negotiations. I believe that the presence of these several factors further strengthens our position.”

The president however noted that although no progress has been made in the negotiations, lot was done to resolve the Armenian-Azerbaijani Nagorno-Karabakh conflict last year – both in political terms, within the regional frames, and in the military sphere – on the battlefield.

President Aliyev further emphasized that Azerbaijan will strengthen army potential in 2015. “Fairly large funds have been allocated for this purpose. Suffice it to say that the funds allocated for the military exceed the total budget of Armenia more than twice. Our army discipline and combat capability our growing. The patriotic spirits are at a high level. We are becoming stronger and Armenia is weakening. This is an inevitable process. So in the coming years this process will go even faster.”


President Aliyev said the results of 2014 and 2015 will show Azerbaijan’s strength again. “Neither the fall in oil prices nor the crises and bloody clashes taking place nearby can affect our rapid development. I am absolutely sure that we will successfully complete 2015 and ensure the development of our country,” the president concluded.

--

Follow Gulgiz Dadashova on Twitter: @GulgizD

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz