President Aliyev chairs Cabinet meeting, sets new goals

/By Azernews/

By Aynur Karimova

Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev 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 on April 9.

The agenda of the meeting covered a number of issues, including the recent tensions on the line of contact of the Armenian and Azerbaijani Armed Forces, as well as Azerbaijan's political, economic and social achievements in the reported period.

President Aliyev, addressing the event, said that Armenian armed provocation committed against Azerbaijan earlier this month was foiled, and the enemy was given a fitting rebuff.

"Azerbaijan was able to protect its lands, and to further strengthen the military position. This bloody clash once again showed that Armenia continues its occupation policy, does not want peace and is trying to disrupt the negotiation process," he said.

Armenian Armed Forces, which continue to violate the truce on the contact line of troops in the occupied Nagorno-Karabakh region despite the achieved agreement on ceasefire, aims to keep the status quo unchanged. The three co-chairing countries of the OSCE Minsk Group – Russia, the U.S. and France, have repeatedly announced that the existing status quo is unacceptable and must be changed. However, unfortunately, Armenia ignores it.

The Karabakh conflict can be resolved only within the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan and this is supported by state-Chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group.

"I know that this year the co-chairing countries have put forward new proposals to continue negotiations. During my visit to the U.S., the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict was widely debated with the political leadership of the United States. They noted that they support the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan," President Aliyev said. "All the co-chairing countries - the U.S., Russia, and France support the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan. There is no country in the world, except Armenia, which would not support our territorial integrity. Obviously, the possible positive dynamics in the negotiations has led Armenia to commit this provocation."

Despite Armenia's provocations, Azerbaijan will always protect its lands. And Azerbaijan will never allow a second Armenian state to appear on its lands. Azerbaijan has always stated that it is in favor of peaceful settlement of the conflict.

Azerbaijan's president pointed out that following the bloody clashes, the international community expressed concern over the issue and heads of the OSCE Minsk Group co-chair countries issued statements, calling for a peaceful settlement of the conflict.

“We have repeatedly stated that we want a peaceful, political settlement of the problem. We just want to find a solution to the problem. We declare that we are committed to the negotiation process," President Aliyev stated.

The president voiced hope that the long-lasting negotiations on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict lead to the settlement of the problem.

"The solution of the problem is very simple - Armenian Armed Forces must leave the occupied lands, Azerbaijani citizens must return to their native lands, and after this, peace and security can be established in the region. As for the principle of self-determination of peoples, this principle should not violate the territorial integrity of countries, and these expressions are reflected in the Helsinki Final Act. All conflicts must be resolved within the territorial integrity of the countries," President Aliyev said.

Azerbaijan, as a leading country in the South Caucasus region, has set the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict as its primary goal. President Aliyev believes that the stronger becomes Azerbaijan in political, economic and in other fields, the closer it will be to the solution of the conflict.

"We must further accelerate the dynamics of our development. Sustainable development in Azerbaijan should continue. The progress made in recent years in economic and political spheres, indicate that we are on the right track," he noted.

In the first quarter of 2016, Azerbaijan conducted very active foreign policy. In this period, President Aliyev made a number of official and working visits abroad. He attended the Davos Economic Forum, the Munich Security Conference, and the London Conference on "Support for Syria and the region." The head of state also made visits to the United Arab Emirates, Iran, Turkey, and the U.S.

The geography of these visits shows that Azerbaijan pursues very active and multifaceted foreign policy, and the number of its friends is growing year by year. Azerbaijan cooperates with the world countries based on mutual respect and interests.

The president went on to add that the international community is showing more confidence in Azerbaijan.

"Azerbaijan is known as a very reliable partner, and it plays a stabilizing role in the region," President Aliyev believes. "I want once again note that the international community treats Azerbaijan with great respect and sympathy."

Azerbaijan is a core part of new formats of regional cooperation, such as Azerbaijan-Iran-Russia, Azerbaijan-Iran-Turkey, Azerbaijan-Georgia-Turkey, as well as Azerbaijan-Turkey-Turkmenistan.

"All these tripartite initiatives are very important for ensuring security and deepening cooperation in the region," President Aliyev said.

The current year is expected to remember for deep economic reforms. In this regard, the government took decisive economic measures in the first quarter of 2016.

Azerbaijan has made very serious decisions towards improving the business environment, increasing export potential, attracting foreign investments to Azerbaijan, and increasing local production.

"I want to say that further measures will be taken regarding financial discipline and transparency," President Aliyev said. "The whole economic and financial sector of Azerbaijan, based on the experience of leading countries, should be developed based on the most advanced principles. First of all, it is necessary to improve the control mechanisms, transparency must be fully ensured."

President Aliyev believes that Azerbaijan's revenues will increase despite the fact that oil prices have fallen sharply and are still at a very low level.

"This, of course, will have a serious impact on our revenues. However, I believe that we will be able to successfully get out of this situation thanks to the development of non-oil sector," he added.

He also expressed confidence that Azerbaijan's GDP will increase within a year. Azerbaijan already achieved a 5-percent growth in the non-oil sector of the national economy.

"The growth of the non-oil industry for more than five percent gives good hope for more rapid development of the non-oil sector in Azerbaijan. Today, the non-oil sector constitutes a major part of the economy of Azerbaijan. We have achieved this and in the future, of course, we should try to make the non-oil sector to have more weight in our export," President Aliyev stressed.

Azerbaijan also achieved creating 37,000 new jobs, including 31,000 permanent jobs in the first quarter of 2016. In order to keep the unemployment rate at a low level, the head of state made a decision to create new jobs at the state-owned companies, and government agencies.

"Opening such number of jobs in the first quarter, of course, targets the social protection of people," President Aliyev stated. "Social policy has always been and will be a priority. The steps taken in the first quarter, once again show that Azerbaijan is a social state. A citizen of Azerbaijan is in the center of our policy. Interests of citizens of Azerbaijan are above all for us. All economic reforms, our successful oil and gas policy are aimed at the people to live better."

Several facts also show that Azerbaijan pays special attention to the social protection of population. In particular, despite the ongoing financial and economic crisis in the world, Azerbaijan was one of few countries that have overcome the crisis with minimal losses.

The salaries and pensions increased by 10 percent this year in the country despite the decrease of oil prices by 3-4 times.

President Aliyev further stressed the necessity of realizing large-scale projects in the field of regional development. He said that about 2 billion manats ($1.3 billion) will be required to implement the planned projects.

"Part of these funds should be provided through the preferential loans from the state, and a part - at the expense of entrepreneurs. Anyway, we have put such a goal. We must try to achieve this goal. Thus, the investments, which will be made in the economy of the country, in the non-oil sector, will contribute to further recovery, creating new jobs, and we will have new export products," he said.

Speaking about the works done for establishment of the international transport corridors, President Aliyev said that Azerbaijan conducted active works towards the establishment of the North-South transport corridor.

"The main condition for the establishment of this corridor is the Azerbaijan-Iran-Russia trilateral cooperation," he said. "I can say that there is a general agreement. This transport corridor is very necessary for us both in economic terms and in terms of security and tourism. Thus, we will offer other major countries our transit opportunities, and the treasury, the budget of Azerbaijan will receive huge economic benefits from it. Because it will not only speed up the existing and potential trade between the three countries, but at the same time Pakistan, India, the north European countries will be joined via this corridor, and the volume of cargoes passing through our territory, will increase significantly."

Azerbaijan also conducted active work towards the establishment of the East-West transport corridor. Azerbaijan is working in a tripartite format - Azerbaijan-Georgia-Turkey for implementation of this project.

"My visit to Georgia at the end of last year and the visit to Turkey this year were very useful for the establishment of this corridor," President Aliyev said. "Azerbaijan is again in the center of two corridors. If we did not have very positive relations, based on friendship and partnership, with neighboring countries, none of these projects would be implemented. I have always said that relations with neighbors are very important for us. We have no problems with any of the neighboring countries, except Armenia. On the contrary, our relations with our neighbors are expanding day by day, and they become stronger, which is the main condition for security and stability, and economic development and cooperation."

Azerbaijan's relations are successfully developing with all countries and international organizations. In the first quarter of 2016, two vice-presidents of the European Commission visited Azerbaijan. Energy, political and economic issues, security issues, and others were high on the agenda of their talks with Azerbaijan's officials.

Also, Azerbaijan's participation in the Nuclear Security Summit in Washington is an important indicator of respect to the country. This international event was attended by more than 50 countries, including Azerbaijan.

"If we consider that Azerbaijan is not a nuclear power, there is no nuclear power station and nuclear industry in Azerbaijan, the invitation of Azerbaijan to this prestigious event is a manifestation of respect to us by the government, the president of the U.S. and reflects our role in this region. Azerbaijan is a reliable partner in prevention of illicit traffic of nuclear materials," President Aliyev said.

During President Aliyev's visit to the U.S., the two countries had very good, fruitful and sincere talks. These negotiations once again showed that the ties between Baku and Washington are very important for both sides.

Another important event in the first quarter was the second Advisory Council of the Southern Gas Corridor held in Baku. The leading role of Azerbaijan in this sphere was once again marked in the adopted declaration.

Speaking about this major project, President Aliyev noted that Implementation of the Southern Gas Corridor is underway on schedule, necessary investments are being made.

"Coordination between the countries and companies are at a high level. I am sure that this strategic project will be implemented in a timely manner," President Aliyev said.

Baku also hosted the IV Global Baku Forum, which was attended by representatives from more than 50 countries, current and former heads of state and government. This Forum, which has become one of the leading international forums of the world, is the ideal platform for discussions.

"Holding these forums in Baku, of course, multiplies our value," President Aliyev said. "At the end of this month, the VII Global Forum of the Alliance of Civilizations will be held in Baku. I believe that it is the result of the successes achieved in Azerbaijan in the field of multiculturalism, inter-civilization dialogue. This year was declared the Year of multiculturalism in Azerbaijan. The progress made in this field, are highly appreciated by the international community."

Thus, despite the ongoing financial and economic crisis and decrease of Azerbaijan's revenues, the country has reduced the risks to a minimum thanks to very operational steps, deep economic reforms and wise foreign policy.

In his closing remarks, President Aliyev set very important tasks before the relevant ministries.

He instructed all the ministers to work hard in order to accomplish the tasks set before them, and to achieve further development of the Azerbaijani economy and better living conditions of the population.

President Aliyev said that Azerbaijan will continue its path of successful development.

"First and foremost, we must pay more attention to the army building," he noted. Today, the Azerbaijani army is among the strongest armies in the world both for its material and technical equipment, and in terms of combat capability. We live in a state of war. Our lands are under occupation. Of course, in this case, more attention should be paid, is paid and will be paid to building of the army."

The head of state believes that in order to achieve the successful building of the army, Azerbaijan's economy should grow even faster.

The president voiced belief that Azerbaijan will attract even greater amounts of foreign investment. In order to attract foreign investment, legal framework, transparent economic and financial system, as well as the rule of law must be ensured, he explained.

President Aliyev further said that the rapid development of non-oil sector should be provided in the future. It is necessary to create new jobs, new production areas, and production areas of export orientation.

"The program of construction of social housing will be presented to the public in the near future. This is a new initiative. In some countries, this practice is being applied. We are studying and studied positive practices. There is a great need and demand in it," President Aliyev said. "The construction of social housing will be started in all cities, regional centers with an aim to reduce unemployment in the regions and solve the housing problems of low-income population with limited material possibilities."

The Azerbaijani president also said that this year over 40 rural road projects will be implemented. Some 250 million manats ($164 million) will be allocated for this purpose.

He also stressed the necessity to accelerate the implementation of works for establishing Alat international sea trade port.

"It is important to continue environmental measures. In recent years, huge amount of work has been done both in Baku and in the regions of the country in this regard," the president added.

President Aliyev also pointed to the necessity of developing the agricultural sector.

"The development of agriculture has always been a priority for us, and its value has increased even more in the current conditions. We must further accelerate the export of agricultural products," he said. Food security has always been a priority for us, and remains a priority today. This allows us to provide ourselves with our own products, high quality and clean products, to reduce dependence on imports."

He stressed that Azerbaijan should achieve rapid development in cotton breeding, sericulture, tobacco cultivation and tea growing, as well as viticulture.