A joint meeting of the confederations of trade unions of Azerbaijan and Turkey was held in Istanbul
21 Aug 2019
A joint meeting of the confederations of trade unions of Azerbaijan and Turkey was held in Istanbul on August 21.
The event was attended by Chairman of the Confederation
of Trade Unions of Azerbaijan, Member of the Parliament Sattar Mehhbaliyev,
Chairman of the Confederation of Trade Unions of Turkey Ergun Atalay and employees
of these organizations.
The Azerbaijani delegation includes Chairman of the Trade
Union of Municipal Employees of the Republic of Azerbaijan Maharram Khalilov,
Chairman of the Azerbaijan Republic Trade Union Trade Committee Samad
Allahverdiyev, Chairman of the Trade Union Ministry of Emergency Situations,
Mr.
Speaking at the event, Chairman of the Confederation of
Trade Unions of Turkey Ergun Atalay reminded the national leader Heydar
Aliyev's words "One nation, two states" and said that the words of the
Great Leader are an example for all of us. Atalay said that the joint projects
implemented by Azerbaijan and Turkey are considered by the international
community as economic projects of international importance.
Speaking on the historic friendship and brotherhood
between Turkey and Azerbaijan, Chairman of the Confederation of Trade Unions of
Azerbaijan, MP Sattar Mehbaliyev said: At the high court in the Freedom Square,
the high tribune stood alongside Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Turkish
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. It was a symbol and demonstration of the
Azerbaijani-Turkish brotherhood and eternal unity. 100 years ago, the Caucasus
Islamic Army, led by the Azerbaijani National Army and Nuru Pasha, freed Baku
from the enslavement of the Armenian Dashnak and Bolshevik forces. This
happened in the second decade of the last century. The world was then confused.
The First World War was in progress. The Ottoman Empire was also involved in
this war. Nevertheless, Istanbul extends its military support to fraternal
Azerbaijan ”.
Touching upon the existing economic relations between the
two countries, S.Mehbaliyev said: “Trade turnover between Azerbaijan and Turkey
is developing. In 2017, the trade turnover increased by 12% and exceeded $ 2.6
billion. We have seen an increase in both exports and imports. The trade and
economic performance of 2018 is also very positive between the two countries -
turnover increased by 22%, exports by 18% and imports by 25%. The economic
relations between Turkey and Azerbaijan have a powerful impact on the
development of our regions. Economic cooperation between the Nakhchivan
Autonomous Republic and Turkey contributes to the development of the region's
economy. It should be noted that the Turkish government exempts imports from
the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic of approximately $ 100 million worth of
import duties and mutual investments. The total volume of Azerbaijan's
investments in the Turkish economy is $ 14.5 billion. Every year, trade and
economic relations between the two countries are diversified and cover new
areas. ”
Saying that Azerbaijan is one of the most developed and
stable countries in the South Caucasus, S.Mehbaliyev said the economy is
developing rapidly in our country. It was informed that the income from the
economy will be used to further improve the social status of the population.
Since the beginning of this year, the head of our state has adopted two major
package of social reforms. The first package was implemented, envisaging the
allocation of 1.6 billion manat to 3 million citizens to increase salaries,
pensions, social benefits, and address important social issues. Preparations
for the implementation of the second package have already been completed. It is
planned to increase the minimum wage to 250 manat starting September 1, to
increase the salaries of 400,000 people by 20-50%, and to increase pension
contributions to 750,000 pensioners by October 1. This package of reforms,
which will cost 5.2 billion manat, will cover 4.2 million people.
Referring to the Daglik-Karabakh conflict, the chairman
of the ATUC said that Azerbaijan would never be able to reconcile with the
situation. "Everyone should know that, even though we support the peaceful
settlement of this issue, we have an end to it. Turkey has always been with us
in this regard. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan also says that Turkey has always
been with Azerbaijan in the Daglik-Karabakh issue, "Sattar Mehbaliyev
said.
