ALIYEV: "THE WAY OF SOLUTION TO NAGORNO KARABAKH CONFLICT HAS ALREADY BEEN DETERMINED AND THE PRINCIPLE OF TERRITORIAL INTEGRITY BECOME A PRIORITY IN THE REGULATION PROCESS"

APA
Jan 18 2010
Azerbaijan

Baku – APA. President Ilham Aliyev chaired the meeting of the Cabinet
on the outcomes of socio-economic development of 2009, APA reports.

The head of state said 2009 would remain as the year of financial
crisis in the history.

"Despite this, Azerbaijan as a part of the world economy could get
out of the critical situation with minimal losses," he said.

Ilham Aliyev said the serious social and economic reforms paved the
way for all-round development of Azerbaijan.

"In 2009 our country protected its economic interests, the people’s
social position improved. According to the outcomes of 2009, Azerbaijan
is the country that developed most rapidly in the world.

GDP grew 9.3 percent in Azerbaijan in 2009. This is a historical
achievement. Growth in the industrial production was 8.6 percent,
agriculture 3.5 percent, the inflation rate was 1.5 percent in 2009.

$9.2 billion was invested in Azerbaijan, $7.3 billion of it are
domestic investments," he said.

The head of state said large infrastructural projects were implemented
within a year, 74,000 jobs created, the level of poverty fell by 11
percent, the country’s currency resources made up $20.4 billion.

Moreover, 64 schools, 59 medical establishments were built,
5 olympic-sport complexes were opened, new roads constructed in
Azerbaijan in 2009.

"Important steps were also taken in the foreign policy in 2009. The
number of our friends and strategic partners increase". Touching
upon the Nagorno Karabakh conflict, the president said the way of
solution to the problem had already been determined and the principle
of territorial integrity became a priority in the regulation process.

Minister of Finance Samir Sharifov, Chairman of the Central Bank
Board of Governors Elman Rustamov, Minister of Communication and
Information Technology Ali Abbasov and Chairman of the State Social
Protection Fund Salim Muslumov made reports on socio-economic measures
carried out in the country last year. In his final speech, President
Aliyev noted that Azerbaijan relies on its resources and there is a
strong will to further strengthen the country: "We are proud of these
realities. Azerbaijan does not have an economy of transition period,
today Azerbaijan has liberal and sustainable economy relying on its
resources". The head of state underlined that implementation of social
programs and infrastructure projects would also be continued in 2010.