President Ilham Aliyev chairs Cabinet's meeting on outcomes of socio-economic development - UPDATE - PHOTOS

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev has today presided over a Cabinet's meeting to discuss results of the socio-economic development in the first quarter 2011, Azerbaijani Presidential official website reported

The meeting started with opening remarks of the Head of State who said the country`s economy 'successfully' developed in the first quarter.

"Our economy has grown steadily in recent years. Azerbaijan’s GDP has increased almost threefold over the past 7 years. Our economy has grown by 14 percent even in the crisis of 2009 and 2010. Therefore, this high base growth in the first quarter observed at this high base, of course, pleased us," Aliyev said.

He said the economy grew by 1.6% in the first quarter.

"It is gratifying that our non-oil sector grew by 5.6%. As you know, our main task is to develop non-oil sector, reduce dependence on oil and gas factor and thus to diversify the economy. Although the industrial production increased by 0.3% in total, the main factor in the industry, that is encouraging fact, is that our non-oil industry grew by 9.8%," he added.

This, he said, suggests that investments, funds invested in the non-oil sector and conditions created for entrepreneurs gave excellent results. In general, the reason of not so much growth in industrial production is linked with a reduction in production in the oil and gas sector. However, this reduction, of course, is temporary in nature. Currently, Azerbaijan’s oil production attained, we can say, high point and will remain at that level. Regarding the gas production, Azerbaijan’s natural gas production must also grow in subsequent years through the investments made in it.

"One of the issues causing concern is that inflation rose by 9.1% in the first quarter. It worries us. But now there is one-digit inflation and we must preserve the one-digit inflation. However, the income increased by more than 16 percent. That is, if we compare inflation with monetary incomes, we see that there is a real income growth. I am confident that these trends will boost even more within a year," Aliyev said.

President went on to say that the country's monetary reserves, which reached $34.2 billion, are expected to surge by the end of the year. All these processes go on in the light of implementation of great investment projects, in what the President believes are an indicator of economic and financial strength.

"I would like to note the construction of a new building of the Heydar Aliyev International Airport among the major infrastructure projects. Airport is the gateway of any country. Today, the international airport does not fully meet the current level of Azerbaijan’s development, and especially our future development. So, it must have a new building. Work has already been launched. New runways must be built and the entire infrastructure service must be reconstructed in parallel. The Heydar Aliyev International Airport should become one of the most beautiful, most modern airports of the highest level on a global scale. I am confident that the construction will be completed in next two years and a very important facility for our country's infrastructure will be put into operation," President Aliyev added.

Other major infrastructure projects are being implemented in the country today.

"I would like to note the International Sea Trade Port among them. Work is progressing well there. Construction of a shipyard is underway. That is, if we add these two major projects and the airport, it would greatly enhance the country’s transport capacity. It is planned to buy new ships, and ferries in the coming months, as the volume of cargo transportation through Azerbaijan is increasing. Although we have bought about ten new modern tankers and bulk carriers in recent years, the country still has a need for them. The Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway should be put into operation in 2012. We need to make all arrangements, so that to avoid any single day of delay after commissioning the railway. There is a matter of procurement of new ferries, and it will be resolved in 2011," he said.

A large growth has been achieved in information and communications sector in the first quarter of 2011. This sector is developing rapidly.

"I have repeatedly expressed thoughts about it. Azerbaijan has transformed into an ICT center of this region. The country traditionally hosts Bakutel exhibitions. The world shows increasing interest in Azerbaijan and the work ongoing here. This sector’s development will promote the development of general intellectual capacity in Azerbaijan, and our intellectual capabilities. Moreover, this sector has great commercial value. It is already becoming a new source of revenue for us. This sector’s revenues will have a very strong influence on the development of the country's economy in the future. A program to create an artificial satellite is being realized in the country. I hope that Azerbaijan will have its own satellite in the near future. This is a very important issue for the country’s image and prestige. But, first of all, this is a very important project from a practical point of view. Income to be derived from commercial exploitation of the satellite will also create good opportunities for us," Aliyev stressed.

*****

A military - industrial potential is rapidly growing in Azerbaijan, President Ilham Aliyev said in his opening speech at the Cabinet`s meeting to discuss results of the socio-economic development in the first quarter 2011, Azerbaijani Presidential official website reported.

"I would like to emphasize this area as it is an industrial, but at the same time, a special sphere. Two goals are pursued here. First, we must strengthen Azerbaijan’s military potential through the internal capabilities. On the other hand, this is a new industrial sphere. Thousands of new jobs have been opened, workers are paid high salaries and Azerbaijan produces modern military-industrial products. At present, Azerbaijan produces 430 items. Our goal is to build here work on the most modern technology. I want to emphasize the production of unmanned aircraft among them. This production sphere is characteristic of the most developed countries. Azerbaijan has set up production of unmanned aircraft at the highest level by using its own capabilities, and this would greatly enhance our military power," Aliyev said.

Aliyev said Azerbaijan plays a very positive role in strengthening security in the region.

"Azerbaijan is a stabilizing factor in the region. Our country pursues a successful policy in all aspects. Our position over the settlement of the Armenian-Azerbaijani Nagorno-Karabakh conflict is clear. The international law must be completely ensured. The UN Security Council’s four resolutions must be unconditionally implemented. Just as, the UN Security Council’s resolution on Libya is performed several hours later. I have expressed my opinion about it. I would like to reiterate that this is an injustice, it is double standards and this discrimination cannot be explained by any cause. Armenians perpetrated genocide against the Azerbaijanis. They committed the Khojaly genocide. Armenians brutally killed innocent people. For some reason, then the international community remained indifferent to our grief. The internationally recognized territory of Azerbaijan is under occupation for many years. There were adopted four resolutions by the UN Security Council, a decision by the OSCE, the European Parliament, the Council of Europe, the Organization of Islamic Conference, NATO - all of these solutions require the withdrawal of Armenian armed forces from the occupied land. But the question does not find a solution. At that time, the Azerbaijani citizens rightly ask the question: why we are treated differently? I address this question to the international community, countries benefiting from the authority in the international arena. Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity must be restored, the occupation must come to its end, and this issue should be resolved soon, because the patience of the Azerbaijani people wont last forever," he said.

"I would like to reiterate that Azerbaijan's position in the negotiation process is clear. This position is based on not only our wishes, but also on the international law, which still is the main criterion worldwide. Today, we witness that the international law grossly violated in various places. Therefore, Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity must be restored and no conditions should be put forward," Aliyev said.

President Aliyev said the proposals on the negotiations table ensure the restoration of Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity. At the same time, the question can find a solution based on the principles that could provide habitation of people residing in Nagorno-Karabakh and Azerbaijani citizens, who will surely return there, in the status of autonomy, self-government. I reiterate that the provision of independence to the Nagorno Karabakh now or ever is impossible. It is not and will never be the subject of the negotiations," the President stressed.

"In the first quarter the OSCE Assessment Mission visited the occupied territories in connection with this matter. This mission took place on our proposal. The Armenian side tried to object to it. As you know, a similar mission visited the occupied territories in 2005. It was a fact-finding mission. That is, it's so called.

The mission’s main purpose was studying the situation in the occupied territories and preparing a report. I know that the Azerbaijani society has different views in regard to the mission’s final report. Our society rightly expresses concern about the fact that the expressions in this report are not sharp enough.

But I want to stress that the mission’s purpose and mandate were studying the situation and reflect in the report what they have seen. From this point of view, I believe that the issues in the report reflect the reality. I’d like to mention a few important issues reflected in the report. First, it openly says that the Armenians have destroyed the entire infrastructure in the occupied territories.

We already knew it. It was stated in 2005 and is stated this year, too. That is the mission with its own eyes saw the consequences of the Armenian vandalism. Our mosques, graves, all the infrastructure have been destroyed or looted. The second important milestone is that the report indicates that one cannot artificially change the administrative borders of the occupied regions. This requirement is directly addressed to Armenia. We are well aware that the so-called local authorities want to artificially change the borders of our regions on Armenia’s order. In addition, the report called the change of historical and ancestral names of regions as an inadmissible fact. This claim is also addressed directly to Armenia, as they try to change the names of our cities, and besides them, nobody recognizes and will not recognize these new names," he said.

President Aliyev said the report includes a lot of similar issues. All of these issues in one or another form were also reflected in the previous report. Just it is once again confirmed. One of the major issues is that the report points to a policy of illegal settlement in the occupied territories. So, 14,000 cases of illegal settlement have been recorded, in the Lachin and Kalbajar regions - mostly in these two regions - that is 14,000 people reside there, who are not supposed to be living in that area. They were resettled on the land later, which the report indicated as an inadmissible fact. Finally, the report indicates that the status quo, that is the current situation should not continue.

"I think this is one of the most important issues in the report, Azerbaijan has raised the issue that the status quo should be changed from all tribunes, in all international organizations, as well as during meetings with officials of co-chairing countries for many years," he said.

Aliyev said the Armenian side uses every opportunity to delay negotiations.

"I have informed Azerbaijani citizens also about it to some extent. The issues agreed on a certain stage again are put forward by them at the negation table, and they deviate from previously agreed issues. That is, they want this process to be interminable, permanent, eternal, so that these negotiations were constant, and as if Armenia is behaving constructively in the negotiations. Although we have repeatedly stated that Armenia is not sincere in the negotiations. They do not target resolving this issue. They aim to keep the occupied territories under control as long as possible and to turn de facto situation into de jure situation in the future. Their intentions are: the more time passes, the better it is, that is, the international community will accept the situation, and thus this situation, and the negotiation process will be endless. We have repeatedly raised the issue that it is impossible," Aliyev said.

President Aliyev said Azerbaijani will not attend the negotiations for imitation and for negotiations.

"This is our unequivocal opinion, and the status quo must be changed. All is well aware that what the status quo change means. This means that the occupying forces must be withdrawn from Azerbaijani territories. I think it is very important to reflect this point in the report. Azerbaijan’s position is also supported by the OSCE co-chair countries. Unacceptability of the status quo is not voiced for the first time. Also senior officials of the co-chairing countries stressed it in their statements. If the status quo is changed - it must be surely changed - then, of course, the occupation forces will be withdrawn from the Azerbaijani territories, which are currently under the occupation, and it should happen soon. One should allow Armenia to delay the negotiations artificially, under certain pretexts. Armenia should specifically respond to concrete proposals to begin the liberation of our territories from the invaders. Thus, I would like Azerbaijani citizens to know my position, the position of the Azerbaijani state in connection with the report, and on the essence and content of the negotiations. I think that it is necessary," President Aliyev said.

*****

President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev on Tuesday presided over a Cabinet's meeting to discuss results of the socio-economic development in the first quarter 2011.

The meeting started with opening remarks of the Head of State who said the country's economy 'successfully' developed in the first quarter.

He pointed out the economy saw the growth in the non-oil sector, adding the main aim is to boost this sector and reduce dependency on the oil and gas industry.

According to the Azerbaijani leader, first three months of the year saw a 0.3% rise in industrial production, fueled by the 9.8% increase in the non-oil sector. President Aliyev pointed out oil production touched the high level to be followed by the growth in the gas production in the years to come.

President went on to say that the country's monetary reserves, which reached USD 34.7 billion, are expected to surge by the end of the year. All these processes go on in the light of implementation of great investment projects, in what the President believes are an indicator of economic and financial strength.

President Ilham Aliyev pointed out the information and communications sector is developing very rapidly, saying a satellite launch program is being implemented.
The Azerbaijani leader noted the country produces a wide range of defense-related products.

On the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, the Head of State underlined the country`s position on the dispute is based on international law and Azerbaijan`s territorial integrity must be restored without prerequisites.

The President's opening speech was followed by reports of Head of the State Customs Committee Aydin Aliyev, Chairman of the State Social Protection Fund Salim Muslumov and Chief of the State Migration Service Arzu Rahimov who told of the activity of their agencies in the first quarter of the current year.

In his closing remarks, President Ilham Aliyev underscored the need to put all necessary measures in place as rising oil prices can drive inflation risks up.

He also found the need to undertake measures to step up monitoring of consumer prices and fight against monopoly both in import and domestic production. The President said combat against corruption and graft brings `good` results and is supported by the people.

The Head of State pointed out public order is safeguarded 'very well', security measures are 'strong' and crime situation is 'good'.

He highlighted the need to make additions to the state budget for implementation of all projects scheduled.


/AzerTAc/

Click to enlarge: