Azerbaijan remained committed to its development tradition defined for many years in 2019 as well. The past year was the dynamic year full of progress for our country.

Let us remember the significant events of last year for our country.

Social packages

The head of state adopted the decision on the execution of two social packages early last year. The first social package envisaged the increase of salaries and scholarships. In accordance with the second social package, since September 1st, the minimum salary has become 250 AZN.  

If the minimum salary was 130 AZN at the start of the year, at the first stage, this amount reached 180 AZN and then, since September 1 – 250 AZN.

Credit debts eradicated

One of the most important socially oriented events of the year was, undoubtedly, the eradication of the loan debts of citizens by the state. In February, in accordance with the decree of the head of state, more than 600, 000 people received compensations for their credit debts that emerged as a result of the devaluation. The decision also activated the banking sector.

The wave of reforms

President Ilham Aliyev announced in 2018 that serious reforms would be carried out in the country. The implementation of the reform package was launched in 2019, and in a short period of time, we witnessed institutional and structural changes and later, staff reforms. The institutions, which could not keep pace with the challenges of the new period, were eradicated; some of them were mobilized, merged; young and promising professionals were promoted and so on.  

Towards the new parliament

Eventually, a wave of reforms reached the legislative body as well. It was natural. The parliament, that could not give an adequate reaction to the challenges of the new era and keep up with the refoms, could have created obstacles for the course of the process. In such a case, the New Azerbaijan Party came up with the initiative to dissolve Milli Majlis, and the initiative was backed at a high level.

Azerbaijan’s role in Europe’s energy security grows

TANAP, which is the main segment of the Southern Gas Corridor, will deliver the gas extracted from “Shah Deniz-2” gas-condensate field in the Azerbaijani sector of the Caspian Sea to European consumers. One of the most important events of the year took place on November 30. The opening of the part of the TANAP gas pipeline connecting with Europe was held. By the joining of this line to TAP, the Azerbaijani gas will enter European markets. It not only means big revenues, but also reflects our increasing role in Europe’s energy security.

“Baku Process” continues

In 2019, Azerbaijan continued to play the role of a bridge between different poles on an international scale. In May, the V World Intercultural Dialogue Forum was held in Baku under the motto “Let us build dialogue for the sake of the fight against discrimination, inequality and violent conflicts”. High ranking officials from more than 100 countries and over 30 international organizations took part in the forum. “Baku Process”, that has been held since 2008 at the initiative of Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, could create throughout 10 years a positive platform for exchange of opinions based on sincerity, respect and mutual understanding between different people and groups. Over the past period, the geography of the Forum has expanded. It is no coincidence that representatives of Latin American countries, as well as Saudi Arabia, Great Britain, participated in the last Forum.

Azerbaijan takes over chairmanship of Turkic Council

The relations between the Turkic speaking countries are of strategic significance today. The bilateral cooperation, as well as multilateral cooperation ties at an international level, give political and economic dividends to all the parties and bring the peoples sharing the common values closer to one another.

In October, Baku hosted the VII Summit of the Turkic Council.

Uzbekistan joined in September the Council consisting of Azerbaijan, Turkey, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan. Afterwards, the office of the Cooperation Council of the Turkic Speaking States opened in Hungary’s capital Budapest.

Experts note that the office will play a significant role in taking the cooperation between Turkic states and Hungary, as well as the EU and its agencies, to a new level. The cooperation will be mutually beneficial. With the help of Hungary, the Council will strengthen its positions in Europe, and in turn, with the help of the organization, Hungary will enhance the political and economic relations with the Turkic world and obtain dividends by joining the regional projects of the Turkic speaking states.

The Summit of the Turkic Council also made history, as the chairmanship over the Council was passed to Azerbaijan.

Azerbaijan takes over chairmanship of the Non-Aligned Movement

The XVIII Summit of the heads of state and governments of the Non-Aligned Movement member states was held in Baku in October. The heads of states and governments of nearly 60 countries, as well as heads of international organizations, participated in the XVIII Summit of the Non-Aligned Movement. Overall, representatives of approximately 160 countries and international organizations joined the Summit.

The Summit of the Non-Aligned Movement was an important event in terms of ensuring a dialogue between different poles, and Azerbaijan’s increasing significance on this platform is accompanied by the growth of its weight in the international politics. The Summit was remarkable by the fact that the Non-Aligned Movement members supported Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity in connection with the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict in their Final Declaration. In turn, it means that Azerbaijan can deliver the necessary messages and calls for a just resolution of the conflict from the tribune of the second largest international organization – the Non-Aligned Movement.  

Religious leaders in Baku

Religious leaders and representatives of 25 conventional religions and confessions from more than 70 states from 5 continents, as well as approximately 500 high ranking officials of up to 10 influential international organizations, as well as religious leaders of the Russian Federation subjects, took part in the Summit that took place in November.

Azerbaijan hosted Baku Summit of the World Religious Leaders in order to promote values, such as mutual understanding and human solidarity, and contribute to the development of the interreligious dialogue.

Azerbaijan once again became the venue for discussions of civilizations sharing different views and standing in different poles. Undoubtedly, it was the reflection of the influence of our country on an international scale and became another remarkable event impacting the political weight of our country.

 

Vusal Mammadov