Azernews.Az

Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev on April 9 chaired the meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers on the results of socio-economic development in the first quarter of 2016 and the future tasks.

The meeting began with a minute of silence to honor the memory of Azerbaijani servicemen who heroically died while preventing the sabotage of Armenian armed forces.

President Aliyev wished patience to the relatives of the martyrs and recovery to the injured.

The president then noted that Armenian sabotage was prevented on the line of contact of Armenian and Azerbaijani armies in early April, the enemy was repulsed and Azerbaijan's military positions even more strengthened.

"This bloody clash once again showed that Armenia continues its occupation policy, it doesn't want peace and tries to disrupt the negotiation process," said Ilham Aliyev, adding that Armenia stages sabotages when there is certain progress in the negotiations.

Following the meeting of Azerbaijani and Armenian presidents, held at France's initiative in 2014, Armenia started military exercises on the occupied territories and staged another sabotage, said the president, adding that as a result, one helicopter of the opposing side was shot down, after which the negotiations were suspended for more than a year.

The presidents' meeting held in December of 2015 also brought no results, he added.

Azerbaijan's president pointed out that following the bloody clashes, the international community expressed concern over the issue.

"Azerbaijan is committed to the negotiation process and hopes that this issue will be resolved," said President Aliyev, adding that the principle of peoples' self-determination shouldn't lead to violation of countries' territorial integrity.

President Aliyev further said that despite the decline in Azerbaijan's GDP in the first quarter, it is forecasted to grow throughout 2016..

Emphasizing the importance of further accelerating the dynamics of the country's development, Ilham Aliyev also pointed out the necessity of developing the entire financial and economic sector based on the progressive principles.

The president noted that 37,000 new jobs have been created in the first quarter, adding that additional steps will be taken further to improve the people's welfare.

He pointed out that work is underway for the implementation of the regional development program, making investments and creating the North-South and East-West transportation corridors.

He added that the implementation of the Southern Gas Corridor project is on the schedule and this strategic project will be implemented on time.

In his closing speech, President Aliyev said that Azerbaijan's political independence comes from its economic independence.

The business environment is improving in the country, assistance to entrepreneurs continues, additional measures are underway for promotion of investments and strengthening the banking sector, according to the president.

Ilham Aliyev emphasized the importance of speeding up the development of the non-oil sector, and creating new jobs.

He added that the implementation of the project for constructing social housing will start in the capital and regional centers.

The president noted that in 2016, the country will focus on the implementation of over 40 rural roads' project, pursing a single tariff policy on transportation corridors, taking additional measures on creating a sea port in Alat township, as well as large-scale environmental measures, development of agriculture and ensuring the food security.