MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF THE REPUBLIC OF ARMENIA
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PRESS AND INFORMATION DEPARTMENT
Telephone: +37410. 544041 ext 202
Fax: +37410. 562543
Email: [email protected]
17-01- 2008
PRESS RELEASE
Vladimir Karapetian, Spokesperson of Ministry of Foreign Affairs, responds
to a question by "Arminfo" News Agency on the statements of Azerbaijani
President
Question: According to Azerbaijani sources today Azerbaijani President Ilham
Aliyev has stated that there could be no comparison between Armenia and
Azerbaijan in the area of economic development and reputation on the
international scene. What is your reaction to that statement?
Answer: Judging from the volume and tone of comments from Azerbaijan’s
President, there is a clear sense of desperation in Azerbaijan. After all,
on all fronts, without any exception, Azerbaijan is either behind the
international standard or going against prevailing international trends.
First, there is panic with regard to the international community’s
increasing understanding with regard to issues of self-determination.
Second, on economic and social issues, Azerbaijan’s rankings are
problematic. In an unfortunate coincidence for him, the President’s comments
about their economic strength and their statebuilding achievements came on
the heels of three different reputable intl indices which demonstrate that
there is reason for the panic, and that the President’s comments are simply
aimed at misleading his public.
The Heritage Foundation Wall Street Journal’s Economic Freedom Index has
Armenia at 28th, near the top, while Azerbaijan is 107 out of 162 countries
rated.
In the Freedom House rankings of the democratic standings of states, Armenia
is considered Partly Free, while Azerbaijan remains Not Free, as in years
past.
The Foreign Policy Index of Failed States, in a study of 177 countries,
Armenia places 50 places above Azerbaijan.
There is hardly an international index, including those of Human rights and
Freedom of Speech, where Azerbaijan’s ranking even approaches Armenia’s.
Furthermore, according to World Bank data, despite Azerbaijan’s enormous
resources, they have barely caught up with Armenia’s per capita income.
Finally, with all their rhetoric on military strength, experts predict that,
at this rate of growth and military buildup, Azerbaijan will require 10-15
years to begin to challenge Armenia’s armed forces.
Given all this, these baseless Azerbaijani statements simply offer their own
population false information thus diverting them from the real challenges
that they face.
Press and Information Department
of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
of the Republic of Armenia
Tel. + 37410 544041. ext. 202
Fax. + 37410 565601
e-mail: [email protected]
web:
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
