Azerbaijan, Latvia sign memorandum of cooperation in labor, employment and social protection

Azerbaijan and Latvia have signed a memorandum of cooperation in the field of labor, employment and social protection in Baku. The memorandum was signed by Latvian Minister of Welfare Uldis Augulis and Azerbaijan`s Minister of Labor and Social Protection Salim Muslumov.

Speaking prior to the signing ceremony, Muslumov praised Azerbaijani-Latvian ties. He highlighted Azerbaijan`s recent accomplishment amid global economic crisis. Muslumov said that over the last 12 years Azerbaijan’s GDP increased 3.4 times. “The non-oil sector accounts for 70 percent of GDP in the country.” “Unemployment fell to 4.9 percent, and poverty dropped to 5 percent, which is three times lower as compared with global poverty rate,” he added.

Latvian Minister Augulis stressed that Azerbaijan and Latvia should study each other’s experience in the field of labor and social protection. The minister said the memorandum will give a new impetus to the development of the bilateral relations.

/By AzerTac/