NEW AZERBAIJAN PARTY

Q: Azerbaijan is now experiencing rapid development. What is the role of social policy in this development?

A: Pursuant to the socio-economic policy pursued by the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Mr. Ilham Aliyev gained successes was further strengthened, macroeconomic stability preserved, economic diversification, development of non-oil sectors and districts accelerated, efficient use of strategic currency reserves ensured, stability of national currency, reliability of the banking system increased, strategy of  conservative strategy foreign debt implemented, state support of entrepreneurship enhanced, social welfare of the population improved steadily.

In order to gain these objectives some State Programs on social-economic development of the regions, poverty reduction and sustainable development, reliable food supply of population and other programs were passed and are carried out successfully.

Implementation of complex state support measures in stimulating production of agricultural products, allocation of subsides and tax concession for meeting needs of the population for food by means of local production and expansion export, boosting leasing services influenced development of agrarian sector positively and food security was ensured.

As known, for several years, Azerbaijan has been leading among the CIS countries in terms of GDP growth and other indicators. On the backdrop of a nine-percent drop in the GDP across the CIS, Azerbaijan has shown a 6.1-percent increase; Azerbaijan was declared the number-one reformer among 181 countries in the world according to the World Bank`s Doing Business Report 2009, which evaluated the business climate in countries across the globe.

Q: The government of Azerbaijan is constantly carrying out pension reforms? In this context, what is the importance of “The Concept of Pension Reform in Azerbaijan Republic for 2014-2020”?

A: Reconstruction of the pension system inherited from Soviet times and absolutely inadequate to the present-day demands has started with implementation of the Pension Reform Concept of Azerbaijan for 2001-2005. During that period important steps were made to bring insurance and pension system in line with contemporary standards and activities have been implemented to introduce insurance principles in the pension system. The core of those activities included separation of the insurance and pension system from the system of social assistance benefits and coordination of social insurance contributions with the quoted pension amounts.

In 2001 the government adopted a reform concept that sought to ensure the pension system’s financial sustainability, strengthen links between social insurance contributions and pension benefits, improve transparency and access to information for taxpayers and beneficiaries, and reduce incentives for avoiding the social security taxes that fund the pension system

On November 4, 2014 the head of state approved “The Concept of Pension Reform in Azerbaijan Republic for 2014-2020”. This concept envisages new reforms in the pension system, which particularly include the strengthening of social justice and establishment of new institutes.

Q: December 3 marks the International Day of Persons with Disabilities. How would you evaluate the government`s attention to people with disabilities in the country?

A: The foundations of Azerbaijan`s policy of meeting material and moral needs of the people with disabilities were launched by national leader Heydar Aliyev in the early 90s.

Azerbaijan joined the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and its protocol in 2008. Azerbaijan is one of the 143 States Parties to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, and so is required to submit regular reports to the Committee, which is composed of 18 international independent experts.

The number of persons with disabilities in the country was 2.5-fold lower than the worldwide average. Only 5.6 percent of Azerbaijan's population (530,000 people) are disabled while the worldwide average index is 15 percent according to the World Health Organization.

Some 6.5 percent of persons with disabilities (11,902 people) in the country became disabled as a result of Armenian aggression against Azerbaijan. Without this aggression, persons with disabilities would have made only 5.5 percent of Azerbaijan's population.

There are now tens of rehabilitation and treatment centers for people and children with disabilities in the capital and regions of the country. Nearly 8,000 people with disabilities receive treatment at these centers on a yearly basis.

Treatment and rehabilitation services provided to these people are funded by the government. In 2001, Azerbaijan adopted the Law on education (special education) of people with disabilities. So we have been applying inclusive education for already 13 years.

The Azerbaijani government has drafted four socio-medical rehabilitation programs for disabled people and children.

They are part of the 2012-2015 Governmental Programs on Physical Protection of Disabled Persons, on Social Protection of Disabled Children, on the Rehabilitation of Disabled People and Children and on the Development of the Disability Criteria.

Azerbaijan, as a member of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, is committed to adjusting the national norms and legislation with international regulations.

Azerbaijan pursues a state policy targeting social independence and employment of the physically challenged people.

Last year President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev opened the Vocational Rehabilitation Center for Youth with Physical Disabilities in Baku. The center has since played an important role in ensuring employment of youth and children with disabilities.

Q: On December 23, Azerbaijan will conduct municipal elections. As a representative of YAP you have meetings with people as election campaign has already kicked off. What about social priorities in the program of our party?

A: Being Azerbaijan`s most powerful political force, the New Azerbaijan Party has won all elections it has attended. It`s no coincidence because the party builds its strategy based on ideas of national leader Heydar Aliyev. And this policy is today successfully continued by President Ilham Aliyev.

As the result of far-sighted policy and intensive activities of the President of Azerbaijan, the national leader Heydar Aliyev, significant results were achieved in the fields of socio-economic development and integration into the global economic system within a short period of time – in spite of unfavorable initial conditions. The great achievement was that the Azerbaijani model of the state system establishment and development was established over the past period.

All these factors have conditioned the success of the party in elections and strong public support for it.

Social issues occupy an important place in the program of the New Azerbaijan Party. Our party is committed to continuing reforms to constantly increase average wages and pensions, social allowances, open new jobs. Consistent steps are being taken on this front.

Naturally we promote these values ahead of the municipal elections. And we see that people support our strategy and program.