Presidential elections in Azerbaijan in spotlight of Pakistani press
Baku, September 16 (AZERTAC). An article “2013 - The year of Presidential Elections in Azerbaijan” by famous journalist Vahid Huseyn was posted in the websites of the Centreline magazine and DNA news agency.
The article provides insight into the presidential elections, election campaign.
The author noted the government took progressive steps, passed respective laws to ensure free and democratic elections. The government invited a number of international organizations to observe the elections. More than 3000 international and thousands local observers are expected to take part at Presidential elections 2013.
Executive bodies allocated 5000 different places for candidates to hold meetings with voters during the election campaign. The candidates got access to all necessary facilities at media outlets to conduct their campaign.
The main candidate at the election is incumbent President Mr. Ilham Aliyev who was nominated by the New Azerbaijan Party.
Huseyn underlined that great successes were achieved in all sectors during the past ten years.
Attraction of foreign direct investments and the deliberate oil strategy has produced tremendous results. Oil production has tripled earning the country 78 bln USD. Increase of gas production by 5.6 times transformed Azerbaijan from the gas importer into the gas exporting country.
A transparent Oil Fund has been established to collect and manage revenues from energy-related activities for further economic diversification purpose. As a result the non-oil sector of Azerbaijan saw a 10 % increase in 2012 alone. In 2012, the ICT revenues stood at USD 1,750,000,000 - 6-fold rise against 2003 year. During these years the first Azerbaijan`s satellite “Azerspace-1″ was successfully put into orbit, the number of internet users has increased 10 times. In addition, the non-oil projects helped to establish Trans-Eurasian information corridor, form electronic government.
The economic growth of Azerbaijan is accompanied by enormous construction boom, development of the industry, infrastructure, agriculture, tourism and culture.
During these years the agricultural sector grew 3.3 times. More than 1 bln USD were allocated to implementation of agrarian reforms to ensure food security of the country.
Tremendous achievements were made in transport field as well. Nearly 14 billion USD have been invested in this sphere. Number of international airports increased up to 6, fleet of national flag career AZAL and marine transport were fully renewed. Implemented and ongoing transport corridor projects contributed to facilitation of transportation of goods and passengers from Central Asia and Azerbaijan onwards to Europe and back and ultimately made country a main transport hub of the region.
The transport sector saw tremendous successes with nearly 14 billion USD invested. Number of international airports increased to 6, the fleet Azerbaijan Airlines and marine transport were fully renewed. Transportation projects Implemented contributed to facilitation of transportation of goods and passengers from Central Asia and Azerbaijan onwards to Europe and back and ultimately made country a main transport hub of the region.
The social security, education and support to youth remain priorities for the government. The average monthly amount of pensioners has increased 8 times, the former Soviet Union savings were returned to the citizens, the foundation for social mortgage was laid. The expenditures for education increased 6-fold. The government launched the youth study abroad program. Nearly two thousand young people have been involved in this program so far and this figure is expected to exceed 5000 by 2015. During the years 2003-2012 total of 2457 new school buildings were constructed and repaired for study of 550 thousand pupils. The schools were fully computerized and pupils were provided with free textbooks.
The article says in short span of time Azerbaijan has grown into touristic country. Number of Hotels has increased more than 5 times with tourist traffic exceeding 2 million people.
While noting success on domestic fields one should also stress on the dynamism of external relations of the state. The balanced foreign policy based on the interests of the nation transformed Azerbaijan into a leader of the region.
Located on the crossroads of Europe and Asia, Azerbaijan is integrated into the political structures of both continents. Being a member of the Council of Europe and the OSCE, Azerbaijan plays an active role in the OIC and the ECO and in 2011 got a membership in Non-Aligned Movement and a seat of a non-permanent member of UN SC allocated for Eastern Europe as well as became Europe`s main partner in the region.
As a result of increasing political prestige and economical strength of the country, a number of international mega events were held in Azerbaijan. They include Eurovision 2012, Women`s U-17 World Cup, First European Olympic Games 2015, a number of world and European championships, international conferences etc.
Despite all efforts the Armenian-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict still remains unresolved. This makes the Government to strengthen its military power. The total military expenditures of Azerbaijan increased 23 times from 2003 to reach 3,48 billion in 2013. The weapons changing the strategic balance in the region were purchased.
The Government also introduced dynamic juridical reforms, which led to establishment of the economic courts, easier access to the courts for population in the regions, adoption of two national concepts on human rights and the law on ex-presidents.
The lasts years were notably remarkable for media. The mechanism of public support to media was created, reasonable funds were allocated to its support, internet freedom has been secured and the online media has developed, the project to provide housing for journalists was initiated as well.
Much was done to further promote of Islamic values in the country - construction of hundreds of new mosques, renovations of shrines, establishment of religious institutions etc. is a vivid manifestation of this fact.
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