ILHAM ALIYEV’S RATIONAL AND BALANCED POLICY PROVIDES CONDITION FOR EFFECTIVE DEVELOPMENT OF STATE SYSTEM: OFFICIAL OF AZERBAIJAN’S PRESIDENTIAL ADMINISTRATION

Trend News Agency
Dec 25 2008
Azerbaijan

Azerbaijan, Baku, Dec. 25 /Trend News, J.Babayeva/ Interview of Elnur
Aslanov, Director of the Political Analysis and Information Department
at the Azerbaijani Presidential Administration, with Trend News

Question: In Azerbaijan last year was not ordinary. Thus, presidential
election took place in October, the possibility of changing certain
articles of the Constitution was considered, new agreements on
the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict were signed, construction of the
Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway was commenced, etc. What is your appraisal
to the outgoing year?

Answer: It is true. The outgoing year has been full of both regional
and global processes. I agree that the main component in the context
of domestic political issues was next presidential election held
in Azerbaijan. The election demonstrated the willingness of society
to a democratic consolidation. The elections predetermined further
development of the country and created a basis of symmetrical reforms
in political, economic and social life. Moreover, open and democratic
character of the election, which was confirmed by authoritative
international organizations, enables saying that the task of the
authorities in the coming years is to intensify democratic development
in the country, to improve the role of civil society institutions in
our lives.

At the same time, important steps to establish a civil society
basis were made this year – for the first time the State funded the
projects of various NGOs through the NGO State Assistance Fund. A
number of significant events were implemented in the field of mass
media. They enable speaking about State’s constant attention towards
representatives of the "fourth power". Certain "movements" commenced
in field of political culture. I associate them with congratulations
from a number of opposition parties to the President in connection
with his re-election, as well as President’s reply gratitude. Today we
can say that a new opposition has been formed in the country, which,
of course, reflects certain moods of the society, because presence of
opposition is an essential attribute of democratic coexistence. Also in
2008, at the initiative of some political organizations the Parliament
commenced discussing amendments to the Constitution, which provides
a ground to discuss country’s promising development. Certainly,
it is the society to make the last say. The society will say "for"
or "against" any changes to the Constitution of the Republic of
Azerbaijan. I cannot fail to mention another factor, which I think is
very interesting. The country began discussion of the Law on Political
Parties, which was adopted in 1992 and today actually aggravates the
political space by its archaism. Discussion on possible financing of
parties shows that the place and role of political organizations in
the country is gradually being transformed.

I totally agree with you that in terms of foreign policy a number
of very important and significant steps were made. These steps
include Moscow Declaration which clearly indicates sides of the
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict -Armenia and Azerbaijan, UN’s adoption of
Resolution on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, launch of construction of
Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway and initiative by the Turkish Prime Minister
to hold discussion over the Caucasus platform. It is noticeable that
processes ongoing on international arena last year had impact on our
country as well.

Firs of all, this is a conflict between Russia and Georgia over
the South Ossetia which involved not only conflicting sides and
almost entire world community. As a whole, U.S.-Russia relations,
complicated by the results of talks over missile shield, once again
replaced reference points of world order in wake of Georgia-Russia
conflict. Now it is worth to think and to speak about multi-polar world
order where every party asserts its own interests. Second, one should
not forget that Russia and the United States held presidential election
this year and change of elite is always accompanied with certain
rhetoric on international arena. Third, the world financial crisis and
globalization have engulfed the entire world which is very important,
namely, very essential fact. It affects our daily life and of course,
leaves a track on our agenda. The world community still witnesses
the processes related with Afghanistan and Iraq and issues related
Iran and North Korea are under discussions in various capitals of the
world. Moreover, falling oil prices and willingness of certain parties
to create new routes of gas delivery to Europe provides conditions for
new discussions which are not always productive. This year was quite
difficult and interesting at the same time. I would describe it as
"Year of Analogies" as we compared it with the year of onset of the
Great Depression and year of Fulton Speech which marked beginning of
the Cold War. All the above-mentioned processes showed that there is
no a precedent to the foreign policy line pursued by the Azerbaijani
President Ilham Aliyev. Rationality, balance and suspension lay at
the root of Ilham Aliyev’s policy which ensures efficient development
of the state system.

As to national economy, great achievements are noteworthy which include
first of all remarkable rise in GDP, raise in salaries, creation of
dozens of social and industrial facilities and updating of Azerbaijani
economy as whole. As a result, Azerbaijan became country of reformers
in 2008 and ranked first in Doing Business-2008 report. Second, it is
liberalization through single window in tax and customs agencies. Third
is the policy of drawing investors to Azerbaijan.

Question: What are Azerbaijan’s priority targets and tasks for
near future?

Answer: Updating political, economic and social life of the country
are tasks of Ilham Aliyev for near future. These tasks also include
political reforms, continuation Azerbaijan’s economic development
and of course, stage-by-stage transformation of new behavior norms
and stereotypes. Furthermore, a special emphasis is laid on improving
education as future of the nation is shaped efficiently only through
high-quality education. In foreign policy context, Azerbaijan will
further achieve fair solution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict on the
basis of fundamental principles of international law. Today Azerbaijan
is a powerful country and our neighbors should understand that it will
not work to be occupier for ever. Meanwhile, our foreign policy line
based on balanced approach to all participants of the international
community will be continued.