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BAKU: Ilham Aliyev's Rational And Balanced Policy Provides Condition

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  • BAKU: Ilham Aliyev's Rational And Balanced Policy Provides Condition

    ILHAM ALIYEV'S RATIONAL AND BALANCED POLICY PROVIDES CONDITION FOR EFFECTIVE DEVELOPMENT OF STATE SYSTEM: OFFICIAL OF AZERBAIJAN'S PRESIDENTIAL ADMINISTRATION

    Trend News Agency
    Dec 25 2008
    Azerbaijan

    Azerbaijan, Baku, Dec. 25 /Trend News, J.Babayeva/ Interview of Elnur
    Aslanov, Director of the Political Analysis and Information Department
    at the Azerbaijani Presidential Administration, with Trend News

    Question: In Azerbaijan last year was not ordinary. Thus, presidential
    election took place in October, the possibility of changing certain
    articles of the Constitution was considered, new agreements on
    the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict were signed, construction of the
    Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway was commenced, etc. What is your appraisal
    to the outgoing year?

    Answer: It is true. The outgoing year has been full of both regional
    and global processes. I agree that the main component in the context
    of domestic political issues was next presidential election held
    in Azerbaijan. The election demonstrated the willingness of society
    to a democratic consolidation. The elections predetermined further
    development of the country and created a basis of symmetrical reforms
    in political, economic and social life. Moreover, open and democratic
    character of the election, which was confirmed by authoritative
    international organizations, enables saying that the task of the
    authorities in the coming years is to intensify democratic development
    in the country, to improve the role of civil society institutions in
    our lives.

    At the same time, important steps to establish a civil society
    basis were made this year - for the first time the State funded the
    projects of various NGOs through the NGO State Assistance Fund. A
    number of significant events were implemented in the field of mass
    media. They enable speaking about State's constant attention towards
    representatives of the "fourth power". Certain "movements" commenced
    in field of political culture. I associate them with congratulations
    from a number of opposition parties to the President in connection
    with his re-election, as well as President's reply gratitude. Today we
    can say that a new opposition has been formed in the country, which,
    of course, reflects certain moods of the society, because presence of
    opposition is an essential attribute of democratic coexistence. Also in
    2008, at the initiative of some political organizations the Parliament
    commenced discussing amendments to the Constitution, which provides
    a ground to discuss country's promising development. Certainly,
    it is the society to make the last say. The society will say "for"
    or "against" any changes to the Constitution of the Republic of
    Azerbaijan. I cannot fail to mention another factor, which I think is
    very interesting. The country began discussion of the Law on Political
    Parties, which was adopted in 1992 and today actually aggravates the
    political space by its archaism. Discussion on possible financing of
    parties shows that the place and role of political organizations in
    the country is gradually being transformed.

    I totally agree with you that in terms of foreign policy a number
    of very important and significant steps were made. These steps
    include Moscow Declaration which clearly indicates sides of the
    Nagorno-Karabakh conflict -Armenia and Azerbaijan, UN's adoption of
    Resolution on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, launch of construction of
    Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway and initiative by the Turkish Prime Minister
    to hold discussion over the Caucasus platform. It is noticeable that
    processes ongoing on international arena last year had impact on our
    country as well.

    Firs of all, this is a conflict between Russia and Georgia over
    the South Ossetia which involved not only conflicting sides and
    almost entire world community. As a whole, U.S.-Russia relations,
    complicated by the results of talks over missile shield, once again
    replaced reference points of world order in wake of Georgia-Russia
    conflict. Now it is worth to think and to speak about multi-polar world
    order where every party asserts its own interests. Second, one should
    not forget that Russia and the United States held presidential election
    this year and change of elite is always accompanied with certain
    rhetoric on international arena. Third, the world financial crisis and
    globalization have engulfed the entire world which is very important,
    namely, very essential fact. It affects our daily life and of course,
    leaves a track on our agenda. The world community still witnesses
    the processes related with Afghanistan and Iraq and issues related
    Iran and North Korea are under discussions in various capitals of the
    world. Moreover, falling oil prices and willingness of certain parties
    to create new routes of gas delivery to Europe provides conditions for
    new discussions which are not always productive. This year was quite
    difficult and interesting at the same time. I would describe it as
    "Year of Analogies" as we compared it with the year of onset of the
    Great Depression and year of Fulton Speech which marked beginning of
    the Cold War. All the above-mentioned processes showed that there is
    no a precedent to the foreign policy line pursued by the Azerbaijani
    President Ilham Aliyev. Rationality, balance and suspension lay at
    the root of Ilham Aliyev's policy which ensures efficient development
    of the state system.

    As to national economy, great achievements are noteworthy which include
    first of all remarkable rise in GDP, raise in salaries, creation of
    dozens of social and industrial facilities and updating of Azerbaijani
    economy as whole. As a result, Azerbaijan became country of reformers
    in 2008 and ranked first in Doing Business-2008 report. Second, it is
    liberalization through single window in tax and customs agencies. Third
    is the policy of drawing investors to Azerbaijan.

    Question: What are Azerbaijan's priority targets and tasks for
    near future?

    Answer: Updating political, economic and social life of the country
    are tasks of Ilham Aliyev for near future. These tasks also include
    political reforms, continuation Azerbaijan's economic development
    and of course, stage-by-stage transformation of new behavior norms
    and stereotypes. Furthermore, a special emphasis is laid on improving
    education as future of the nation is shaped efficiently only through
    high-quality education. In foreign policy context, Azerbaijan will
    further achieve fair solution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict on the
    basis of fundamental principles of international law. Today Azerbaijan
    is a powerful country and our neighbors should understand that it will
    not work to be occupier for ever. Meanwhile, our foreign policy line
    based on balanced approach to all participants of the international
    community will be continued.
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