Austrian “Manchmal News” newspaper publishes article headlined “Azerbaijan, successful diplomacy and rapid development”

Baku, April 16 (AzerTAc). The Austrian “Manchmal News” newspaper has posted an article titled “Azerbaijan, successful diplomacy and rapid development” by chairman of the “Azerbaijan” Society in the United Arab Emirates Samir Imanov. The article reads: “Through its participation in international forums, Azerbaijani diplomacy proved successful in various issues, it has supported human rights and upheld the application of the Charter of the United Nations, and remained at the same distance from all sides. Azerbaijan has diplomatic relations with 158 countries and holds membership in 38 international organizations. It is an observer both in the Non-Aligned Movement and the World Trade Organization, and a reporter for the International Telecommunication Union. There are Azerbaijani communities in 42 countries. There are also dozens of centers of ethnic minorities inside Azerbaijan, for example, the German cultural society "Carl House". On 9th of May 2006, Azerbaijan was elected a member in the newly established Human Rights Council by the General Assembly of the United Nations. The period of the mandate of the Council began on June 19th in 2006.It has also acquired a non-permanent membership in the UN Security Council for two years, during which it has led an impressive political performance which proved the efficiency of its diplomats. Azerbaijan is one of the founding members of GUAM and the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, it joined the Commonwealth of Independent States in September 1993. There is a special envoy of the European Commission in the country, which is also a member of the United Nations, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, the Council of Europe and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization Partnership for Peace Programme. The priorities of the Azerbaijani foreign policy under the leadership of President Ilham Aliyev includes the restoration of its territorial integrity and the elimination of the effects of the consequences of the loss of Nagorno-Karabakh along with seven other regions of Azerbaijan, also, the development of good-neighborly relations and mutual benefit with neighboring countries, the promotion of security and stability in the region; integration into the structures of the European cooperation and security as well as the across Atlantic, and to promote transportation projects, energy and regional economy.” In fact, under the leadership of president Aliyev, the country is witnessing a rapid dynamic development that is quite remarkable and even comparable with developed countries. President Aliyev’s vision covered all the aspects of development, not only on economic levels but he also has a great interest in education which he sees as the solid tool that will lift the nation. Another area in which the government of Azerbaijan is interested is the media, it works to support the press and journalists and to provide whatever is necessary to improve the level of professional performance. In 2013 president Ilham Aliyev ordered the distribution of very well equipped residential apartments of a seventeen-floor building on the occasion of the Day of the National Press to local journalists. Azerbaijan is an active member in the international coalitions which fights against international terrorism. The country Contributes in the peacekeeping efforts in Kosovo, Afghanistan and Iraq. It has assigned 151peacekeepers in Iraq and 184 others in Afghanistan, and it has an active role in the Partnership for Peace Programme. It also maintains good relations with the European Union. After gaining independence in 1991, Azerbaijan became a member of the International Monetary Fund, also a member in the World Bank, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development and the Asian Development Bank. Two-thirds of the country is rich in oil and natural gas. Most of the country’s reserves of gold, silver, iron, copper, titanium, chromium, manganese, cobalt are located in the region of the Lesser Caucasus. In September 1994, an agreement was signed between the State Oil Company of Azerbaijan Republic (SOCAR) and 13 of the international oil companies by the decision of the national leader of the Azerbaijani people Heydar Aliyev. Azerbaijan is considered to be one of the most important sites for oil exploration in the world. At the same time it has established the State Oil Fund as a source of additional funding to ensure macroeconomic stability and transparency in the management of oil revenues and the preservation of resources for future generations. Azerbaijan is also an important economic center for the transportation of raw materials. The pipeline Baku - Tbilisi - Ceyhan was operated in May 2006, it stretches for more than 1774 kilometers through the territory of Azerbaijan, Georgia and Turkey. Ceyhan pipeline was designed to transport up to 50 million tons of crude oil annually and to carry oil from the fields of the Caspian Sea to world markets. Tourism is an important part of the economy of Azerbaijan as well. The country has an abundance of wide areas of natural and cultural attractions which make it an attractive destination for visitors. It was a well-known tourism area in the eighties, and although it has suffered a setback during the nineties due to the occupation of 20 % of its territory by the Armenian army, from the beginning of this century the tourism industry began to recover, and the country has experienced high growth rates in the number of tourists. The Government of Azerbaijan considers the development of the country as a tourist destination a top priority. It is a national strategy to make tourism a major, if not the single largest contributor in the Azerbaijani economy. Sports also acquired great interest by the government especially after the independence of the Republic of Azerbaijan. President Ilham Aliyev himself was the head of the National Olympic Committee of Azerbaijan until he became head of state in 2003. The country hosted the 2012 World Cup for women under 17 years old. The capital, Baku, is preparing to organize and host the First European Olympic games which will be held in 2015. The European Union Olympic Committees held a secret ballot during its general assembly No. 41 which took place in Rome. Truly, one cannot ignore the fact that it is quite admirable how, through wise leadership, a country with less than 10 million population live a life of coexistence and tolerance among all religious affiliations and ethnic groups, has indeed become a leading power in the entire Caucasus region.”