Strong army, mature military industry to boost Azerbaijan

Russia & CIS Presidential Bulletin
January 16, 2008

STRONG ARMY, MATURE MILITARY INDUSTRY TO BOOST AZERBAIJAN’S …

A strong army and a developed military and industrial complex will
have a positive effect on Azerbaijan’s position in the region, head
of the Azeri presidential administration Ramiz Mekhtiyev said.

A strong army could have a comprehensive effect on all tracks of
Azerbaijan’s foreign policy, Mekhtiyev wrote in an article published
by Azerbaijan, the country’s official newspaper.

A stronger position in the region, as well as the resolution of the
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, will be possible through the comprehensive
development of the national military and industrial complex, the
official said.

There is no doubt that the years to come will be dedicated to the
solution of these issues, Mekhtiyev said, speaking about the upcoming
presidential elections slated for 2008.

There will be seven main areas in which Ilkham Aliyev will
concentrate his activity if re-elected as Azeri president. These
areas include bolstering stability, further democratizing society,
strengthening Azerbaijan’s leading position in the region,
liberalizing the national economy, further developing the education
system and the country’s regions, as well as bolstering the country’s
defense capabilities.