Azertac News Agency
10, December, 2007

Azerbaijan’s Minister of Economic Development Heydar Babayev met with UN Resident Coordinator in Azerbaijan Bruno Pouezat to discuss the course of implementation of the 2005-2009 United Nations Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF).

Representatives of Azerbaijan’s Cabinet and representatives of UN`s organizations in Azerbaijan, including UNICEF, International Health Organization, World Bank and International Organization for Migration attended the discussions, the Ministry said.

Heydar Babayev stressed Azerbaijan’s economy has been rapidly developing after the country gained independence. He said despite occupation of twenty percent of Azerbaijan`s territories and one million Azeris being refugees, Azerbaijan gained huge economic success over the last few years. He added, “President Ilham Aliyev`s successful continuation of the socio-economical policy initiated by nationwide leader Heydar Aliyev is what has been ensuring this progress”.

Babayev said Azerbaijan attaches great importance to development of relations with international organizations, including UN.

Bruno Pouezat spoke about implementation of UNDAF jointly prepared with the Azerbaijani Government.

He said the document set a variety of priorities for the Azeri government, including transparent management of oil incomes, attraction of more investments in non-oil sector, improvement of social defense system, settlement of gender problems, fight against drug trafficking and protection of women`s and children`s rights.