THE OATH OF A LEADER WHO KEEPS HIS WORD

The presidential inauguration is always a special event in the life of the country - a holiday of hopes and expectations in which prospects are mapped out. The holiday continues when the promised directives become reality and the oath before fellow citizens turns into concrete actions. From this point of view, Ilham Aliyev has kept all the promises he made in 2003. It was a solemn ceremony, just as it was five years ago. Then the presidential oath was sworn by a young man with brilliant professional training, well-honed management skills and a huge desire to continue successfully the course set by national leader Heydar Aliyev. On 24 October 2008 the presidential oath came from the lips of a strong, reforming leader with an incredible urge to create a mighty state, integrated into the world community. Presidents who stand for a second term usually get fewer votes than first time around. This is because the first time a candidate stands he can win even by populist rhetoric. But at subsequent elections the voter is giving an assessment of his real achievements. And the fact that more voters voted for Ilham Aliyev in these elections than five years ago speaks for itself.

Leader on a large scale

Today the views of foreign observers, experts and politicians, published in the media of different countries, create a single mosaic of opinions - authority in Azerbaijan is in the hands of a strong president who knows how to conduct a multi-pronged foreign policy and maintain a balance between the real forces in foreign policy. 

Something else is equally important: while in 2003 voters voted for the personality of Aliyev Junior in the hope of further prosperity, in 2008, 88.7 per cent of the people confidently chose a guaranteed future in which peace and stability have been established and reforms are ongoing. 

This is why, unlike other CIS countries where a guaranteed future is not yet in sight, the elections in Azerbaijan passed off peacefully, calmly, without the closure of TV or radio stations, the dispersal of rallies and demonstrations or the use of arms against the people. This is very important for an objective assessment of the real level of democracy in the country.

Five years ago, with the poverty level running at 49 per cent, divisions and a groundswell of strong feeling could be sensed in society, but in 2008 the poverty level has fallen substantially to 16 per cent and society is in tune with the will of the leader.

Ilham Aliyev said, "This means that in Azerbaijan there is no process of stratification which is present in dynamically developing countries. On the contrary, a middle class is emerging in Azerbaijan. We have vigorous economic growth and for four years were the leading country on a world scale."

Over the past five years the mood of society really has changed a lot, citizens have acquired a new world view, a special strength. People have begun to be proud of their country. 

On inauguration day Ilham Aliyev set out the future of the country. It is a flourishing Azerbaijan. It is territorial integrity. It is reform of all spheres of the socio-political and economic life of society. It is democratic development and modernization and ensuring the rights of every citizen. Azerbaijan is a mighty state - this was the thread running through the whole inauguration speech.

Well-argued building blocks gave weight to the president's statements. I am thinking of the main achievements of the past five years listed by the head of state. And it must be noted on the scale of the figures - this is in just five years. 

The president spoke simply and as a sovereign. "It would take several hours to list all the achievements," he said. And did not hide from his people his pride and joy: "I want to say what immense happiness it is to see the results of work done. I remember that in 2003 I said in one of my speeches on the eve of the presidential elections that if the people put their trust in me, 600,000 new jobs would be created in Azerbaijan over the next five years. I am very proud to say that over the past five years 741,000 new jobs have been created in Azerbaijan, of which 531,000 are permanent." It was beautifully put. Everything was done 100 per cent, as they say! Inauguration always shows a leader in close-up. Everything is on display. And this close-up showed the whole world the verve, outlook, respectability, urbanity and competence of the Azerbaijani leader and his focus on major projects. Victorious rhetoric and calm strength - this is the image of the head of state.

The notes of steel in the voice and inner conviction coupled with the clearly thought through continuity of objectives lent his speech an air of powerful statehood. "Our aim is for Azerbaijan in future to join the ranks of the developed countries. And I am convinced that this will happen as we have all the capacity for this: talented people, economic might, natural resources and our geographic location, while transparency is ensured and political reforms are under way," Ilham Aliyev said.

Democratic processes and modernization

In a nutshell, the country is modernizing and this can be measured not only by infrastructure projects or economic growth. We are inside a gradual democratic process. The financial assistance provided by the state to non-governmental organizations is nothing other than support for various public initiatives. 

The concept for state support for the development of the media envisages renewing various spheres in public life and ensuring freedom of speech and pluralism of opinions.

The state is providing financial help of 5,000 manats not only to government and independent publications, but also to opposition publications. Our political system is improving with democratic values as its cornerstone. The presidential elections provide a graphic example of this. The overall assessment of international observers is that the elections were a significant step forward in the development of the electoral system and democratic process as a whole. But at the same time more effort is needed to reinforce political pluralism and democratic institutions. Ilham Aliyev clearly stated his position on this: "Azerbaijan's entry into the Council of Europe in January 2000 represented the first step to transfer the state's construction to European principles. This dictated new priority aims. The political system in Azerbaijan must be improved and all the positive experience of the developed democracies must be applied."

The president stressed in particular that "positive experience that is acceptable to us and not alien to the Azerbaijani people must be applied". This is what really reinforces amongst the people a special world view - this is Azerbaijan's way, its position in the world commonwealth, its priorities.

The philosophy of Azerbaijani-ness as the founding principle for the development of society was expressed for the first time in a ceremonial speech by the leader: "The philosophy of Azerbaijani-ness is our moral buttress. An independent policy, the defence of national interests, national dignity, national pride, national and religious tolerance - this is what has ensured our success."

Regional leadership and energy security

It is important to note the following in this regard. After his election as president in 2003, Ilham Aliyev set a course for the gradual modernization of all areas of society with his sights set on regional leadership. Not leadership as an end in itself, but to strengthen regional security, to boost the sustainable and beneficial development of the countries and peoples of the South Caucasus and to tackle topical issues on the European agenda, above all, energy security. At the same time major work has been done to resolve issues on the international level and relations with a number of major powers have risen to a new level of strategic partnership. Now our country consistently shows its independent and principled position on the resolution of strategic issues. As for foreign policy, Azerbaijan will continue to conduct a balanced and at the same time enterprising policy aimed at achieving topical objectives in internal development, ensuring security and strengthening its leading positions in the region. Many years of practice have shown that Azerbaijan is the only country in the region that plays a genuinely stabilizing role here. This role is welcomed by all leading regional and international players without exception - Russia, the USA, the European Union, Turkey, even Iran and Israel. The policies of Baku and its focus on forming a positive regional agenda are a very important predictable factor in the regional situation and in security and cooperation in the South Caucasus for all these countries, which often have competing interests in the South Caucasus.

Ilham Aliyev said, "Our energy policy has given us economic independence, allowed us successfully to complete major infrastructure projects in the country. It has given us confidence."

Over the past five years Azerbaijan has turned from an importer of gas to an exporter. Looking at how far we have come, the president said that the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan, Baku-Tbilisi-Erzurum and Baku-Tbilisi-Kars projects were once just intentions, ideas on paper. Some sceptics described them as mythical projects. But today the myth has become reality. Who has done this? We have! These projects ensure the long-term, successful, sustainable, development of Azerbaijan. Today we have ensured the diversification of oil exports. The country has seven operating oil and gas pipelines, prepared to transport raw resources via different routes. The companies of the oil industry today face specific objectives - completing new investment projects inside the country and beyond its borders, taking part as investors in promising international projects. 

Our major infrastructure projects are under way. In the past five years four international airports have opened. Eight power stations have been built. Thousands of kilometres of road have been laid. The gasification process has gone well. In 2003 gasification in Azerbaijan stood at 62 per cent, but today it is 85 per cent. Water pipelines are being laid. The problem of drinking water is being tackled successfully. The construction of special purification plants and the laying of water pipelines will improve quality of life and health - all these infrastructure projects promote an improvement in the living conditions of the public.

Economic achievements

Political and economic reforms in Azerbaijan are being carried out in parallel, complementing one another. The president mentioned this many times in the ceremony, drawing attention to the fact that it is this mutuality that has ensured good results. He does not hide the fact that he took this experience from countries with a high level of democracy and quite a high level of economic development too.

To be more specific, efficient mechanisms have been devised to implement major economic programmes. Over the last four years Azerbaijan has led the world in GDP growth rates. This is a great achievement and an unprecedented result on a world scale. In 2008 GDP per head of population will be around 6,000 dollars. At the same time, industrial output has grown 270 per cent. The state budget has increased more than tenfold - from 1.2 billion dollars to 15 billion. Currency reserves have also increased significantly, from 1.6 billion dollars to 17 billion.  

The country's ratings have also improved significantly. In August 2008 Moody's Investors Service international rating agency raised Azerbaijan's outlook as an issuer of foreign and local currency from stable to positive. The raising of the rating is connected to the low state debt and favourable medium- and long-term prospects for the budget. 

The economic results achieved by Azerbaijan have caught the notice of international financial structures. Last year the State Oil Fund was awarded a UN prize for transparency. It follows that the public are informed about oil income and expenditure. The World Bank's report for 2008 recognized our country as the world's number one reformer. It is worth noting that this refers to reforms in the non-oil sector too which create the conditions for business and the liberalization of the economy.

Non-oil sector

The president referred proudly to the special achievement in this sector - a diversified economy has been created. We provide our main foodstuffs and produce processed in Azerbaijan is exported. A significant proportion of Azerbaijani output has received international and European certification. This gradually ensures the independence of the country from energy resources. The constructive work done in the regions, new jobs in new factories are the practical results of the work done. Addressing the public, Ilham Aliyev made an incontrovertible argument: "Look at the economic indicators of our regions: the economy has more than doubled in most of our regions over the past five years. In some regions GDP grew by 250-270 and even 300 per cent. Our districts do not extract oil. So what accounts for the growth? The jobs created, investments made and factories opened. Today in Azerbaijan in most cases those who want to work can find work."

The annual allocation of major funds to the development of business, the provision of credit on favourable terms, state subsidies to develop agriculture, technical support for farmers - all this has led to a turning point in the development of the non-oil sector.

The further development of this sector, the modernization of the economic infrastructure and the dynamic socioeconomic development of the regions as part of the new state programme are all to be expected. Such areas as ensuring food security and creating agricultural produce for export will also be priorities. Of course, adjustments will be made because of the world financial crisis which we think will be long-term. The stress will be laid on maintaining macroeconomic stability and lowering inflation.

Attractive to investment

Forty-four billion dollars have been invested in the economy over the past five years. This is 77 per cent of the investments made in the country in the whole independence period. This is a powerful argument showing the favourable investment climate. The volume of domestic investment is growing and not only state investment. The number of private companies making investments is growing by the year. This is another powerful argument showing the creation of a strong business class.

The further development of the defence industry with the aim of creating a modern military-industrial complex and reinforcing the country's defensive capability, outlined by the president in 2003, remains a priority for the next five years. There is no disputing that Azerbaijan's military potential has been significantly reinforced, the level of training and professionalism of personnel have improved and the material and technical base have been renewed. Azerbaijan's commander-in-chief often visits regional military units and sees for himself their high level of combat readiness. In 2003 Azerbaijan's military expenditure was 163 million dollars, but in 2008 this figure has reached 1.85 billion dollars.

Nagornyy Karabakh problem

The position of the head of state on this issue is clear and unchanging - the sovereignty, territorial integrity and inviolability of the borders of Azerbaijan are not up for discussion. At issue is Nagornyy Karabakh's status as part of Azerbaijan. This position will not change. The president confirmed this in his inauguration speech, saying that this position will not change in 10 years or 50 years. He stressed that Azerbaijan has economic and political superiority, historical justice and the support of international organizations on its side.

A unique situation has evolved today in the region and in the process of the settlement of the Armenian-Azerbaijani Nagornyy Karabakh conflict. The strengthening of Azerbaijan's economic and military potential and its political influence, the reinvigoration of Turkish policy in the region, Moscow's constructive approach, especially the recent statement by the Russian foreign minister in an interview to Rossiyskaya Gazeta that "Armenia has enormous difficulties in contact with the outside world" and that "it is in the deepest interests of the Armenian people to unblock this situation as soon as possible" - all these factors today create a critical mass for a real breakthrough in the settlement process.

Refugees' problems

Tackling these problems was of course part of the president's manifesto in 2003. Then Ilham Aliyev promised that in five years not one tent camp would be left in Azerbaijan. Critics in the opposition camp described this as fantasy. And in four years not five, all 12 tent camps in the country were closed down. They have been replaced by modern buildings, houses, schools and medical centres. Thirty-six new settlements have been built and tens of thousands of our compatriots who are suffering as a result of the Armenian occupation have moved to new homes. The State Programme to Improve the Lives of Forced Migrants and Boost Employment is being carried out successfully. It was amended in 2007 to take account of more effective mechanisms to achieve objectives.

Social issues - education, health, sport

Of course, issues in the social sphere, raising the standard of living, improving the quality of education and medical services, etc., remain the focus of the head of state and government. 

Referring to world experience and the recent history of foreign countries, Ilham Aliyev said that, "as a rule, radical reforms lead to a temporary reduction in the standard of living. But the exact opposite can be seen in Azerbaijan. Alongside the conduct of radical economic reforms we have done a lot of work to tackle social issues. In the past five years the size of the minimum pension has increased fourfold. The minimum wage has risen eightfold while the average wage has risen by a factor of 3.6. Some 600,000 people receive targeted social assistance from the state."

It is understandable that every citizen will pick out and remember something of importance for him or her from the president's inauguration speech. Some are interested in economic prospects, others in social welfare and others in regional development. One thing is without doubt from the presidential speech in 2003, every citizen remembered the succinct and meaningful phrase: "I will be the president of every Azerbaijani citizen." And facts and figures really do show clearly that concern for the general welfare of the people has led to progress in everyone's lives. The president said in his powerful inauguration speech in 2008: "The situation of citizens living in poverty is of vital importance to me and it is important to raise the standard of living of these people." Judging from the results of the elections, this category of citizens too also voted confidently for Ilham Aliyev, confident that there will soon be an end to poverty.

The head of state sees the improvement of education, health and development of sport in the context of improving the country's gene pool. Azerbaijan has 4,500 schools of which 1,600 have been built in the past five years! They are all equipped with computers and Internet access. Five years ago there was one computer for every 1,000 pupils, now there is one computer for every 29. This is our future. Of course, the tenets of the president's manifesto are important for young people: "Our young generation must be educated, literate and raised in a spirit of patriotism. The training of qualified, professional staff who love their country is a priority for us."

Concern for the gene pool is, above all, concern for health. Over the past five years more than 240 medical establishments have been set up in Baku and the regions, the vast majority of which meet the highest international standards. Several dozen Olympic complexes already completed and under construction promote the development of the regions and attract young Azerbaijanis to the Olympic movement. And this is also a path to world acknowledgement, to positioning Azerbaijan's young sportsmen and women amongst the champions of world sport.

The successes listed in the inauguration speech were promises in 2003 and became reality by 2008. Dreams of social welfare became reality and convinced the absolute majority of Azerbaijani citizens that their president is a man of his word. This is what occasioned the almost universal support for President Ilham Aliyev at the elections.