POLITICS
PRESIDENT ILHAM ALIYEV HOLDS MEETING WITH GOVERNMENT CABINET ON SOCIO-ECONOMIC RESULTS OF 2007 AND TASKS FOR 2008
President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev presided over the meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers on Friday on the results of socio-economic development in the country in 2007 and outstanding tasks in 2008.
Opening the meeting, President Ilham Aliyev noted that the economy of Azerbaijan successfully developed in 2007. He stressed that Gross Domestic Product grew by about 25% last year, industrial production 24%, amount of investments to various sectors of economy exceeded $6 billion.
Speaking about measures to strengthen social security of needy people, President Ilham Aliyev said minimum wages and pensions were increased 20% to AZN 60 since January 1, 2008.
The Head of State stressed that actions aiming to strengthen social security of the population will be continued in the current year as well. According to him, poverty level in Azerbaijan fell from 49% in 2003 to 16% as of January 1, 2008.
President Ilham Aliyev also touched on the main directions of Azerbaijan’s foreign policy last year. He stressed Azerbaijan gained international prestige by pursuing independent policy.
“Our domestic and foreign policy is aimed at further strengthening the country,”- said the Head of State.
President Aliyev stressed that Nagorno-Karabakh conflict remains unresolved because of Armenia’s non-constructive position and world community’s indifference towards this issue. Azerbaijani Leader reiterated that territorial integrity of Azerbaijan and granting of independence to Nagorno-Karabakh have never been topics of negotiations.
Also speaking at the meeting were Minister of Finance, Samir Sharifov, Minister of Tax, Fazil Mammadov, Minister of Labour and Social Protection of the Population, Fuzuli Alakbarov, Chairman of the State Customs Committee Aydin Aliyev, Chairman of the National Bank’s Board, Elman Rustamov and Chairman of the State Social Protection Fund, Salim Muslumov. They spoke about the socio-economic accomplishments and forthcoming tasks.
President Ilham Aliyev also delivered a final speech.