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December 24 marks the 55th birthday anniversary of President Ilham Aliyev, a true leader and bright politician of our time.

President Aliyev took huge responsibility on his shoulder in his young ages, but could become one of few young and successful leaders in the world.

Coming to state power in the age of 42, Ilham Aliyev could recommend himself as a talented state leader, pragmatic politician and farsighted economic modeler. Based on the political and economic background of the country created by national leader Heydar Aliyev, he was able to bring the young democratic nation up through revolutionary reforms. His tremendous efforts for the economic growth of the country yielded results even in the first years. High GDP growth rate achieved in the first years of his presidential office continues to this day.

Standing at the helm of the state back in 2003, young and ambitious politician Ilham Aliyev had many far-reaching plans. In a short time, he has managed to ensure a rapid economic breakthrough of the country.

Today, Azerbaijan's economy is the 46th among the world's economies. Poverty and unemployment rate, which was 49 percent, not long ago, has now declined to 6 and 5.2 percent respectively.

It is worth to note that Azerbaijan is making significant economic progress in a time when the country’s 20 percent of lands is still under Armenian occupation.

The reforms carried out in the country over the past years by President Aliyev, diversification of the country's economy, social policy, oil strategy, and proper use of budget revenues, all served to rapid development of the country.

At a time when oil prices slumped down considerably on world markets, resource-rich Azerbaijan is facing quite big challenges to develop its economy. In this regard, President Aliyev makes great effort to bring the country out of financial crisis by taking important actions aimed at the development of non-oil sector of Azerbaijan.

One of the most important areas of reforms envisages promoting businessmen, in particular, producers of agricultural products.

The president has initiated 'Made in Azerbaijan' brand to help the country access world markets to ensure the inflow of currency into the country, which is a prerequisite to save the economy from oil dependence.

Energy policy pursued by President Aliyev paved the way for transforming and diversifying the Azerbaijani economy.

Looking back the path left behind, one can easily conclude that President Aliyev is fully committed to continue the course, pledged in 1994 with the signing of the historic "Contract of the Century". He is the very initiator of new global economic projects able to change the energy map of Europe.

With strict purpose of creating a highly competitive economy Ilham Aliyev strongly supports the initiatives targeting the development of advanced areas, determining the scientific and technical progress. Developing space industry and information technology, as well as creation of modern industrial parks are all together push the process significantly ahead.

Some 7-8 years ago, very few people believed Azerbaijan could launch its own satellite into orbit. But today it is a reality, helping Azerbaijan to enter the global space club.

"The development of information and communication technologies will identify and ensure our future success," stressed Ilham Aliyev, when in 2013 the first Azerbaijani telecommunications satellite "Azerspace-1" was launched into orbit. Today, one of the most important challenges facing the country is the launch and orbiting of the second telecommunications satellite "Azerspace-2".

A "field" for corruption and bribery was significantly narrowed due to the brilliant invention of President Aliyev's team -- "ASAN Service" established in 2012. The innovative Azerbaijani model of public service delivery provides venues for state agencies to render their services in a uniformed and coordinated manner and so far more than 10 million people have benefited its services.

President Aliyev had made great contributions to the largest transit project Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline, which was successfully commissioned transporting Caspian oil to foreign markets.

Under the pragmatic leadership of President Aliyev, Azerbaijan became an initiator country. The Trans-Anatolian and Trans-Adriatic pipeline projects - the world's largest energy projects - are the brainchildren of Ilham Aliyev, able to change the energy map of the region and Europe.

Moreover, thanks to the policy pursued by the head of state, Azerbaijan is becoming an important logistics center. The Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway project is very promising in this context.

Modernizing the economy, reviving the industry and raising the agriculture, the President is not neglecting the issues of development of rich culture, literature and art of the nation.

Ilham Aliyev is a strong President of the strong state leading into the region. As a guarantor of security and stability for the Azerbaijani people, he at the same time relies on their support. Indeed, the strength of the state is directly dependent on the degree of people's trust in their leader.

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