The Korean influential magazine "The Diplomacy" published an interview of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev. The head of magazine, Dr. Thok-kju Limb, informing readers, states that the Republic of Azerbaijan has achieved notable progress as a result of economic reforms carried out under the leadership of President Ilham Aliyev. AzerTAc presents the interview.

-Your Excellency, President Ilham Aliyev, first of all, I would extend to You the greetings on the occasion of your visit to Korea. What are the key objectives of your visit to Korea?
-Having accepted the invitation to the Seoul Nuclear Security Summit 2012, I have with the great pleasure arrived in Seoul. I hope that work of the Summit and the discussions we had here will be fruitful and Azerbaijan also in certain degree will bring its contribution to the solution of the questions of nuclear security.
-What are Your impressions in connection with the results of the Seoul Nuclear Security Summit 2012?
- In the XXI century which we have entered, on the background of the happenings on international arena of the process of globalization and geopolitical changes the world faces new challenges. One of the most serious challenges is the question of nuclear security. This question can't be solved by separate countries alone. For this purpose, all world community should make certain efforts. From this point of view, the Seoul Summit in which participate the heads of states and governments of the various countries, is of great importance.
-What basic problems You face today in Azerbaijan?
-I can tell with all certainty that Azerbaijan has reached the goals connected with the way of the development. At the same time, certainly, there are some problems which are important for solving. But the most painful problem for the Azerbaijani people and the Azerbaijani state are the continuing aggression of Armenia against Azerbaijan and delay of settlement of the Armenia-Azerbaijan, Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. This conflict is the biggest threat to peace and stability in region. More than twenty years 20 percent of the territory of Azerbaijan are occupied by the armed forces of Armenia, as a result of the policy of ethnic cleaning carried out by Armenians more than one million of our compatriots have become refugees and IDPs. In the territories occupied by Armenians completely have been destroyed all social and infrastructural objects, ancient historical monuments, mosques and cemeteries.
For settlement of conflict there is a strong international legal ground. There are four resolutions of the UN Security Council, concerning solution of the problem. These resolutions demand unconditional withdrawal of the occupational troops from the occupied territories. As we know, the given resolutions are the international decisions adopted at the highest level, but they aren't executed. OSCE, the Council of Europe, EuroParliament, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation and other international structures also have made important decisions and resolutions supporting territorial integrity of Azerbaijan. Unfortunately, Armenia ignores all of them.
Throughout long years the OSCE Minsk Group is engaged in settlement of this conflict. With the intermediary of the countries-cochairmen - Russia, the USA and France - have been held numerous meetings between presidents of Azerbaijan and Armenia. But because of destructive position of the Armenian side the conflict was not solved. This conflict can be solved only peacefully, on the basis of the international principles and within the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan.
-What would You tell about the current economic situation of Azerbaijan?
- Azerbaijan is one of most quickly developing countries. As a result of the successful reforms carried out recently Azerbaijan became the leader in the world on economic growth. From the point of view of growth of GDP we have achieved the highest indicators. For the last years, national economy has grown, it is possible to tell, for 300 percent. Consecutive measures on unemployment liquidation are underway. For last 8 years more than one million new workplaces were opened. The rate of unemployment makes up 5,4 percent. Annual monetary incomes of the population more than twice exceed the inflation. Poverty level was reduced from 49 to 7,6 percent. In short time we could achieve a sufficient diversification of economy. Not casually, leading international financial structures highly appreciate successes of Azerbaijan from this point of view. According to the World Economic Forum, from the point of view of competitiveness Azerbaijan holds 55th place in the world and the first in CIS space. Standard and Poor's international rating service also has raised a sovereign credit rating of Azerbaijan. It is an indicator of successful reforms conducted in the country. We have achieved liberalization of economy, creation of good conditions for private sector. The pursued liberal economic policy has created favorable conditions for entrepreneurial activity in the country. The private sector share in economy already exceeds 80 percent. As a whole, today the Azerbaijan economy makes up 75-80 percent of economy of the South Caucasus.
-How do You estimate the prospects of economic relations between Azerbaijan and Korea?
-Bilateral relations between Azerbaijan and Korea quickly develop. The documents signed during mutual visits of heads of the states at high level, have created strong base for cooperation expansion between our countries in economic sphere. My state visit to the Republic of Korea in 2007 has given great impulse to expansion of economic relations. We created a commission on economic cooperation between Azerbaijan and Korea. This Commission has enveloped, say, all spheres of economic cooperation. As a whole, between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Republic of Korea there were signed over 40 documents on cooperation in various areas. The favorable investment climate existing in Azerbaijan has raised interest of the Korean companies to our country. These companies successfully work in the field of energy and information technology of Azerbaijan, in many infrastructural projects. In 2011 the trade turnover volume between Azerbaijan and Korea has made almost $650 million.
Economic cooperation between Azerbaijan and Korea has large prospects. There are good possibilities for long-term cooperation between our countries in the field of science and technologies, energy, transport, tourism, agriculture and in other spheres representing common interest.
- How do You see Azerbaijan in the XXI century?
-Azerbaijan is a country possessing favorable geographical position and rich natural resources. Azerbaijan has entered the XXI century with high rates of economic growth. Azerbaijan is the country open for cooperation. The powerful economy of our country and development of the oil and gas industry create favorable possibility to direct the resources in the human capital. We realize successful projects of social infrastructure covering all spheres, it will continue further.
Developments of scientific and technical progress, bringing education and public health services to level of the modern standards, full modernization of society are the basic priorities. At the same time, we attach great importance to the further development of information-communication technologies. This year Azerbaijan will launch the first satellite. It is great success.
I would also note that Azerbaijan historically was territory where various civilizations merge. Today, we have established in our country a tolerant society for coexistence of all religions and cultures. Sure, this tolerance which can be example for the whole world, will rule in our country also in the coming years.
As to other spheres, I can tell that we realize important projects to transform Azerbaijan into the tourist country. Sports development also is in the center of attention of the state, and I can tell that we have already achieved big successes in this area. In a word, we have many plans for the future, and I am confident that the will of the Azerbaijani people, unity between the people and the power, the purposeful internal and foreign policy will help with achievement of these goals in the XXI century.
-What your general impressions about Korea?
-It my second visit to Korea. I have deep impressions connected with Korea. I with great satisfaction remember my state visit to Korea in 2007. During visit, me and the delegation of Azerbaijan were shown cordial hospitality. I became the witness of high development in Korea. Projects of Korea on creation of new cities have caused in us interest. Grandiose building projects and also ancient samples of the Korean architecture have made upon me deep impression. I was convinced again what great care takes the state to protect in Korea national, spiritual and historical values.
I also well remember the meeting with the Korean students at the Kyung Hee University. I am very glad that I was awarded the title of the honorary doctor of Kyung Hee University. The future progress of each country is connected with education, knowledge of young generation and science development. I am convinced that interest of the Korean youth to science and education will bring further contribution to the development of your country. Generally, diligence of the Korean people, the policy pursued by your country has transformed Korea into one of the most developed states of the world. The Azerbaijani people have friendly relations with Korea. The cultural contact between our countries constantly extends. I wish the Korean nation peace, welfare and prosperity.

AzerTAc