Azerbaijan at a glance
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© UNICEF Azerbaijan/Pirozzi 2004 |
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Baku’s Icheri Sheher (Inner City) often referred as Old City. The walled city of Baku with its maze of narrow alleys and ancient buildings was classified as World Heritage Site by UNESCO |
Azerbaijan is located on the southern part of the Caucasus. It borders with Russia, Georgia, Armenia, Turkey and Iran. The country has a population of 8,347,000 (as of 1.01.2005). Azerbaijan declared its independence from the former Soviet Union in August 1991.
The conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh had erupted in February 1988 when Azerbaijan’s mostly Armenian-populated Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Region declared its independence from Azerbaijan and unification with Armenia. The hostilities caused huge population exodus in the region escalating into an almost full-scale war between Azerbaijan and Armenia, which led to the occupation of 20% of the territory of Azerbaijan.
The long-standing conflict in and around the Nagorno Karabakh region of the Azerbaijan Republic remains unresolved. The UN Security Council adopted four resolutions (822, 853, 874, and 884) in 1993 demanding the withdrawal of occupying forces from Azerbaijani territories and reiterating the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan with Nagorno Karabakh as its integral part. The resolutions still remain not implemented. The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) has been mediating to resolve the dispute between the parties, with their agreement, and diplomatic efforts to resolve the conflict continue.
A large number of internal displacements has since been a major challenge; the war has driven an estimated 800,000-1,000000 refugees and IDPs from their homes, about a tenth of the country's population. Deprived of land and livelihoods, they have little access to employment.
After achieving independence in 1991, Azerbaijan faced the challenge of managing the transition to a market economy and pluralist system that respects the rights of individuals, which was compounded by the war conflict.
Political
1918: Independent Azerbaijani Republic declared;
1920: Red Army invades; Azerbaijan is declared a Soviet Socialist Republic;
1988: Nagorno-Karabakh seeks to become part of Armenia. Ethnic Azerbaijanis begin to leave Karabakh and Armenia, while ethnic Armenians leave Azerbaijan;
1991: Azerbaijan declares its independence. In elections boycotted by the opposition, ex-Communist party leader Ayaz Mutallibov becomes president;
1992: Hostilities develop into full-scale war in and around the Nagorno Karabakh region of the Azerbaijan. President Ayaz Mutallibov resigns and Abulfaz Elchibey, leader of the nationalist People's Front, becomes president in Azerbaijan's first contested elections;
1993: Rebel army commander Col. Surat Huseynov takes control of Azerbaijan's second city, Ganja, and marches on Baku. President Elchibey invites former Politburo member and KGB general Heydar Aliyev to return to the capital and subsequently flees. Aliyev assumes leadership and subsequently wins presidential elections;
1994: Ceasefire was signed. Karabakh and a swathe of Azerbaijani territory around it remain under occupation;
2003: Heydar Aliyev's son, Ilham Aliyev wins presidential elections.Soon after the elections Heydar Aliyev dies.
2005: New Parliament (Milli Mejlis) is elected
Economic
Azerbaijan has had one of the highest GDP growth rates in the region in recent years, on average above 10%.
GNI per capita is increasing; Azerbaijan has very recently been classified as a middle-income country by the World Bank.
Government is exerting efforts to return the inflation rate back to one digit after a rather high increase in the consumer index prices.
However, economic development is resource-driven and relies on foreign direct investment in the energy sector. The biggest challenge is to ensure the development of the non-oil sector and to find ways to channel the oil money into the social sector.
The benefits of rapid economic growth have not, however, been felt by the majority of the population. Despite its oil-rich image, nearly 45% of the population of Azerbaijan still lives below the poverty line of around US$37 per month.
Structural
Azerbaijan consists of one autonomous republic, 7 independent cities and 59 districts.
Azerbaijan is a presidential republic. Much needs to be done to ensure the full independence of the judiciary from the executive power.
The concept of municipalities is very new and, therefore, vague. There is no clear division of responsibilities and resources between local executive authorities and locally elected governments. However, the second round of elections for municipalities indicated increasing interest by the population.
Security in Azerbaijan
Azerbaijan is a relatively secure country. Foreigners should follow the same rules for personal safety as elsewhere.
Although a ceasefire was signed in 1994, there is still no peace agreement over the Nagorno Karabakh conflict. Battles do occur in frontline areas from time to time. Therefore, traveling to Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, as well as to frontline districts requires additional security vigilance.
Security Phase Four is in effect for the entire conflict zone/occupied territories (Nagorno Karabakh and the districts of Kalbajar, Lachin, Gubadli, Zangilan and Jebrail districts; and part of Fizuli, Aghjabedi, Agdam, Barda, Tartar, Goranboy, Khanlar and Dashkesan. Phase Two is in effect for the ares of Fizuli not in Phase Four, Aghjabedi, Agdam, Barda, Tartar, Goranboy, Khanlar and Dashkesan Districts not included under Phase Four.
No Phase is in effect for all parts of the country that are not in Phase Two or Phase Four.
