Arif Mammadov Developing Azerbaijan in 2025 Program to Overcome Crisis

The Azerbaijani diplomat Arif Mammadov has initiated the development of the National Program to find a way out of the crisis, Azerbaijan in 2025. He called for like-minded people to take an active part in this process.

"Many people have asked about my goals and vision for the future of the country. To begin, I want to create a national program for the country out of crisis, Azerbaijan-2025, that is, the vision of the future of the country for the next 10 years.

Of course, I have my own opinions, but they are only those of a diplomat who has lived in Europe for 20 years and wants for his people the very best of what I have studied and watched all these years.

I want my people to live not worse than the same Belgians or Norwegians, the French or the Germans," Mammadov wrote on his Facebook page.

Mammadov believes the real minimum pension provision in Azerbaijan could be at 1,200 € and the minimum wage could be 15 € per hour by the time specified. The monthly household income could become 2,400 € and the surcharge from the state for each child could be 200 €.

"I want every citizen of my country to have a share in the national wealth (oil, gas, gold, precious metals and so on)," Mammadov further wrote.

He proposed to transform the Oil Fund into a national fund, which would accumulate funds from all the natural resources of the country for each citizen. The Fund should be transparent and monitored by the Board consisting of well-known economists, scientists, etc.

"I wrote that I do not need a political party, or any other structure for that. I need a think tank of 10-20 people who would be able to help me to make this program. But every Azerbaijani regardless of where he lives should take part in the project. Foreign experts may also be consulted.

I ask Azerbaijanis and friends of our country living in Europe and believing that they may be useful to contact me to get together and discuss this program," says Mammadov.

"I will inform you regularly about the progress of the program. We must believe in ourselves no matter what problems we face. If we believe, no one will stop us and we will win," sums Mammadov.

Arif Mammadov is the head of the mission of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation to the EU.

The pro-government press attacks on him began after he said on Facebook on the responsibility of officials for the deaths of people on fire in Baku on May 19. Five diplomats, who supported this status, were dismissed. -06D-