Azerbaijan, Baku, Sept. 13 / Trend E. Tariverdiyeva /
Building in less than a generation a modern, secular and democratic nation is not an easy task, said head of Department of political analysis and information provision of Azerbaijani Presidential Administration Elnur Aslanov in his article, published by "The Economist" U.S. magazine.
"Today Azerbaijan is a tolerant, multi-ethnic and multi-confessional state, an emerging powerhouse that serves as the socio-political and economic conduit between Europe and Asia," the article said.
It is noted in the article that Azerbaijan is viewed by many as a strategic partner in the South-Caucasus, including NATO, which counts on Azerbaijan's east-west corridor to deliver about 30 percent of the coalition's supplies bound for Afghanistan.
"I welcome your coverage of the events that take part in the political life of Azerbaijan," Aslanov said of "The Economist".
He then went on to mention an article, titled "Azerbaijan: How not to prepare for an election", published by "The Economist" on September 2.
"However, I would like to express some concern over an online article, "How not to prepare for an election", which painted the overall situation in the country as black and white," Aslanov noted.
"Baku is fully aware that if you silence the media, you silence informed citizens and freedom can be greatly compromised," he said. "We support and protect a free and diverse media. The government has no say in the form and content of hundreds of daily newspapers, magazines and other products that roll off the printing press."
"Today Azerbaijan holds 39th place among 148 economies in the Global Competitiveness report by the World Economic Forum in 2013-2014," he added. "This reflects many factors, including the poverty rate, which has fallen from 50 percent in 2001 to 6 percent today."
"Free and fair elections are a cornerstone of all forms of democracy," he said.
"The outcome will matter," he said. "At stake is the continuing economic growth and regional security that has placed Azerbaijan in the global mainstream. With this in mind we are committed to doing everything we can to make sure that these elections are transparent, free and fair."
"Azerbaijan has repeatedly demonstrated its real commitment to European integration," he said.