WHAT DOES THE EU "BAROMETER" SHOW?

The majority of the Azerbaijani population have confidence in their government (92%) and parliament (68%). This is one of the main conclusions from a poll conducted as part of a "Barometer of European Neighbourhood" for Azerbaijan at the end of 2012. The poll was conducted in countries of the European Neighbourhood Policy in November-December 2012 among 1,000 respondents as part of a project to study public opinion, financed by the European Union (EU). The published report says that in the vast majority of components the situation in Azerbaijan is much better than in other countries of the region. But that's not surprising…

An economic leader

So, the report circulated by the European Neighbourhood Information Centre on the results of the poll pointed out that the Azerbaijanis who took part in it were satisfied with their lives (this is more than in the countries of the region) - 65% of those questioned were happy with how they live. The level of satisfaction with their lives is higher among young people and respondents receiving education.

The index of economic status is also high: 69% of Azerbaijanis describe their economic status as good. At the same time, 60% are satisfied with the results of the democratic processes in the country. The mood of the Azerbaijani people is realistically mirrored in the country's achievements in recent years, especially in the section of socio-economic growth, where a number of indicators, according to the estimates of international organizations, reach a record level not only on a regional but also a world scale. It is sufficient to note that in the last 10 years alone the country's GDP has trebled, including 2.4 times in the non-oil sector, state budget revenue has increased 19 times (whereas in recent years the state budget deficit has been roughly at a level of 1% of GDP), strategic hard currency reserves have increased 30 times, $140bn of investments have been put into the economy, and - most important of all - the poverty level has been reduced 7.5 times.

Of course, our neighbours in the South Caucasus cannot compete on the same level with Azerbaijan, which is responsible for nearly 80% of the whole region's GDP. In Armenia, for example, 72% of those questioned believed their economic situation was bad. And 31% are convinced the situation will continue to deteriorate. Virtually the same pessimistic mood prevails in Georgia, where 75% of respondents believe their country's economic situation is grave.

So it is not surprising that 85% of Armenians who were questioned would like the EU to increase its participation in economic development, 87% in trade, 74% in developing democracy and 78% in regional cooperation. The Georgians have also placed in the foreground their desire for EU support in the country's economic development - which almost all respondents (92%) called for.

As far as Azerbaijan is concerned, judging from the results of the poll, the country's feeling of self-satisfaction is also reflected in people's approach to the question of European integration. Specifically, whereas in Armenia and Georgia they are awaiting support from the EU in economic development, in Azerbaijan the respondents lay emphasis on equal partnership. Thus, 53% of those questioned believe that good relations are being formed between Baku and the EU, 37% believe that the European Union is a strategic partner for their country, and 51% are confident that there is a sufficient quantity of common values for fruitful cooperation between the sides.

A properly organized strategy of economic and social development has reduced to a minimum the country's dependence on foreign aid. Since 2006 Azerbaijan has completely declined credits from the International Monetary Fund, taking cooperation with it to the level of consultations and mutual relations with other international financial institutions are also developing first and foremost on a basis of consideration of national interests. That is precisely why today the ratio of the volume of foreign debt to GDP is more acceptable in Azerbaijan - just 7.5% at 1 April, whereas in Armenia this figure is close to 50% of GDP, and in Georgia 31%.

Stability and confidence

The dynamic nature of the economic reforms in Azerbaijan has created a basis for the social prosperity of the population which is expressed, of course, first and foremost, in a reduction in the poverty level in the country - to 6% at the end of 2012 from 44% in 2003. If you bear in mind that in Armenia this figure is still above 35%, and this only according to official figures, then the dissatisfaction of the people in their government and the mood of pessimism there can be fully explained: only 23% of Armenians feel that the country is travelling along the right road, whereas 61% believe the path chosen is the wrong one.

Obviously, the respondents in Azerbaijan expressed a diametrically opposite opinion on this question, expressing satisfaction with their country's vector of development: 48% believe that the country is going in the right direction and only 17% disagree with this. The course towards doubling the amount of the current GDP by 2020, which the government took on President Ilham Aliyev's instruction, contributes to the Azerbaijani people's confidence in long-term stability.

Hence the high level of confidence in the government which, of course, is not apparent among its neighbours. In Armenia, for example, only 52% of those questioned were happy with the local Cabinet of Ministers, and even fewer - 38% - with their parliament. The people of that country have a much better attitude towards foreign organizations - the EU (63% had confidence in it), the UN (68%) and NATO (48%).

The Georgians who took part in the poll were also in the main dissatisfied with their lives (more than in the other countries of the region): 67% of those questioned did not like the way they lived, although the level of dissatisfaction was higher among young people and the more educated respondents.

So, Azerbaijan's development, which has been recognized by many international organizations and ratings agencies, has received further substantial backing - now from the EU. What is also important is that in this instance the figures are based on the opinions of the people. In short, the results of this EU poll have confirmed President Aliyev's statement that the citizens and their welfare are at the centre of Azerbaijani state policy.