VK editor-in-chief Alexey Vlasov discusses developments in Azerbaijan with the head of the RSUH Caucasus Study Center, Ismail Agakishiyev
Alexey Vlasov: In my opinion, 2010 was both successful and difficult for Azerbaijan. On the one hand, indicators of economic growth have been high and the social situation has been quite stable. A number of cultural and humanitarian projects were also supported. But that's just one side of the coin. On the other hand, Baku has to spend much on its military budget. Otherwise, it would have been possible to redirect this money to the development of regional programmes, infrastructural projects, the education system and modernization of public health services. We can see that new possibilities exist, but external factors hamper their realization . From my point of view, it is this circumstance, defining the complex scope of factors, which influenced the situation in Azerbaijan in 2010.
Ismail Agakishiyev: I agree that the rate of Azerbaijani economic growth is impressive, even despite the crisis. It is surely a result of far-sighted government strategy. It should also be noted that the country's currency reserves have now exceeded $24 billion, but the main indicator of success is the increase in the average salary rate, as well as a successful struggle with poverty and the creation of new jobs. These three indicators show that the economic and social course of the country is adequate. In this case, the statistics are impressive.
The external risks are well-known. These risks include Nagorno-Karabah, as well as the Iranian question and the unresolved problem of the Caspian Sea's legal status. The failure of the Astana summit to solve the problems of frozen conflicts shows that the risks are actually much more menacing than many optimistic experts tend to write.
Alexey Vlasov: Sometimes our way of thinking is very clichéd and we focus attention on energy carriers and resource bases when speaking about Azerbaijan, despite the fact that it is quite obvious that the agenda has changed drastically. Nowadays, absolutely new matters have become particularly important. For these matters, politicians use the general term "modernization". What do you think "modernization à la azerbaïdjanais" is?
Ismail Agakishiyev: That's a very important question, which cannot be answered in a nutshell. It is a question of using successful patterns of economic development adapted to national specificity. I think that an all-indicator regional upsurge will be the main sign of Azerbaijan's modernization project. It's not merely social or economic statistics, but also an indicator of educational quality, the introduction of the adoption of IT etc. Therefore it is quite logical that in 2010 the president of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, has visited the regions frequently. It has been very important for him to see the progress of the announced renovation. The second factor of modernization is a growth in the population's cultural level without losing the traditions of the Azerbaijani people. An immense role in this process is played by the Heydar Aliyev Fund, headed by the Azerbaijani first lady Mehriban-Khanum Aliyeva. I consider the opinion implying that industrialization is a purely technological process to be deeply erroneous. No technology works without people. Nowadays, when the world is dominated by pragmatism and profit, spirituality and patriotism are the major elements of maintenance of stability in a state and, at the same time, are prerequisites for its development. In this way, the huge work carried out by Mehriban Alieva promotes theconsolidation of Azerbaijani statehood.
