Ilham Aliyev

The official results of the October 15, 2003, elections gave victory to Ilham Aliyev, who earned 76.84% of the votes.[12]

Ilham Aliyev was re-elected in 2008 with 87% of the polls. A total of seven candidates filed to run in the election who had to collect 40,000 voter signatures.[13] According to the report of the Election Observation Delegation from the European Parliament the elections took place with no reported unrest and few minor electoral violations. The report also highlights numerous reforms to the Electoral Code in accordance with OSCE and Council of Europe requirements and standards, which include inking of voters, more transparency of voter lists, and the prohibition of government interference in the election process.[14]

During the 2008 presidential elections, PACE observers included a large group of frankly pro-Azerbaijani MPs. The variant of the statement on elections, prepared by the head of the group of observers Andreas Herkel, containing critical remarks, faced the rejection of the pro-Azerbaijani group consisting of Michael Hancock, Eduard Lintner and Paul Ville. Herkel was forced to declare his resignation if criticism did not go into the statement. During the referendum, which lifted the limits on the number of presidential terms for Ilham Aliyev, four PACE deputies – Eduard Litner, Paul Ville, Khaki Keskin and Pedro Agramunt evaluated the referendum as the progress of democracy.[15] In a constitutional referendum in 2009, term limits for the presidency were abolished. The opposition claimed this to be a violation of the Azerbaijani constitution and the European Convention on Human Rights.[16] European Commission said the step "signalled a serious setback".[17]

In the 2013 presidential elections held on 9 October, Aliyev claimed victory with 85 percent of the vote, securing a third five-year term.[18] Election observation delegations from the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe and the European Parliament claimed to have observed a free, fair and transparent electoral process with no evidence of voter intimidation.[19] A day before voting began, however, the Central Election Commission released a new smartphone application intended to allow citizens to watch the ballot counting in real time, and instead the app accidentally showed the results of the election before the election had taken place.[20] The Central Election Commission tried to explain this away by saying that the initially displayed results were those of the 2008 election, even though the candidates listed were from the 2013 ballot.[21] Aliyev's main rivals in the election were Jamil Hasanli and Igbal Agazade. In 2013, Amnesty International called on western leaders to present position on jailed activist which was officially charged with tax evasion and illegal business activity.[22] Ilham Aliyev has been criticized for his illiberal rule[23][24] and sometimes Azerbaijan was perceived as one of corrupt states in Europe by analysts and political commentators.[25][26][27][28]

U.S. Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld is greeted by Ilham Aliyev, August 2004

Observers from the OSCE / ODIHR, led by Tana de Zulueta, spoke of restrictions on freedom of speech during elections, while representatives of the European Parliament headed by Pino Arlacchi confirmed free and fair elections.[29] The European Parliament and PACE issued a joint statement in which they highly appraised the elections. A group of observers from the US House of Representatives also acknowledged fair elections.[30] Varying estimates of the elections led to a scandal. On October 11, the representative of the European Union, Catherine Ashton and European Commissioner Stefan Fule, ignored the assessment of the European Parliament, including in its statement the results of the ODIHR.[31] The Commission on Foreign Relations of the EU discussed the report of Arlacchi. During the discussion, representatives of the “green” condemned the report and said that it discredited the European Parliament. The head of the Socialists’ faction in the EU said that the PACE report cannot be considered reliable at all. It later emerged that a number of EU representatives traveled to Azerbaijan unofficially and on the dime of Azerbaijani organizations, which was regarded by the “European Voice” as “stupidity or corruption”, these trips were labeled “electoral tourism”.[32]

Ilham Aliyev with his first lady during the Moscow Victory Day Parade, 9 May 2015

The US State Department in its turn discredited the observers from the House of Representatives, describing the elections as not meeting international standards, and expressing solidarity with the ODIHR's assessment.[33]

Aliyev celebrates victory in 2018 elections.

Ilham Aliyev won the 2018 presidential elections with 86.02% of votes.[34] Since the latest presidential elections, Ilham Aliyev’s rating and voter confidence has increased according to the survey result conducted by “Opinion Way” company in April 2019. His activities have been evaluated as “positive” by more than 85% of the respondents, as well as stability in Azerbaijan has been attributed as the main success of Aliyev’s performance by more than 80%.[35][36]

Ilham Aliyev visited UN Headquarters several times: to attend and address the general debates of the 59th session of the UN General Assembly in September 2004;[37][38] the 65th session in September 2010;[39][40] and the 72nd session in September 2017.[41] During the presidency of Ilham Aliyev, Azerbaijan was elected as a non-permanent member of UN Security Council from the group of Eastern European states on October 24, 2011 for the term of 2012-2013.[42]

Ilham Aliyev and U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry in Washington, D.C., 30 March 2016

On 4 May 2012, UN Security Council held a high-level meeting on strengthening international collaboration in the implementation of counter-terrorism obligations led by Ilham Aliyev.[43][44][45] During his visits to USA, the president Ilham Aliyev met with UN Secretary General Kofi Annan on 24 September 2004,^[37] on 4 May 2012 with Ban Ki Moon,[46] and on 20 September 2017 with António Guterres in New York.[41] Since the presidency of Ilham Aliyev, Azerbaijan has also developed mutual relations with specialized agencies and bodies of United Nations.

The country was elected a member of ECOSOC for the term of 2003-2005,[47] 2017-2019,[48] and UN Human Rights Council for the period of 2006-2009.[47] President Ilham Aliyev approved Country Programme Action Plan for 2005-2009 between Azerbaijan and UNICEF signed on December 29, 2005.[49]

Ilham Aliyev has been expanding the cooperation with the European Union (EU) since his presidency. A year after Mr. Aliyev became president, in 2004, Azerbaijan as a southern Caucasus country has been a part of the European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP) of the EU.[50] Two years later, in 2006, Ilham Aliyev on behalf of Azerbaijan, and Matti Vanhanen, former president of the European Council, and José Manuel Barroso, former president of the Commission, on behalf of the EU signed the Memorandum of Understanding on a Strategic Partnership.[51]

Ilham Aliyev with Prime Minister of Estonia, President of the European Council, President of the European Commission within EU Eastern Partnership Summit 2017 (from left to right)

In 2009 when the EU launched the initiative, Azerbaijan has been included in the Eastern Partnership Policy.[52] After two years, in 2011, Ilham Aliyev and José Manuel Barroso, Former President of the European Commission, concluded the Joint Declaration on the Southern Gas Corridor.[53]

Ilham Aliyev affirmed the significance of the Joint Declaration in the field of energy cooperation between the EU and Azerbaijan during its visit to Brussels in 2013 with the following words: “Of course, energy cooperation is one of the most important components of our relations. I am glad that after the signing, together with President Barroso, of the Declaration on strategic cooperation in the energy sector in Baku at the beginning of 2011, we are currently seeing its practical results. This declaration has played a major role in the implementation of the gas corridor.”[54]

On 6 February 2017, Aliyev visited Brussels, the capital of the EU, for the bilateral and multilateral meetings. He paid official visits to High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, with the President of the European Council, Commission President, and the Commissioner for Energy Union.[55] After the visit of President Aliyev, on 7 February 2017, the process of negotiations for a new bilateral agreement between Azerbaijan and the EU has been launched.[56] The end of negotiations process was marked by signing the "Partnership Priorities" between EU and Azerbaijan agreed on July 11, 2018 during Ilham Aliyev's working visit to Brussels.[57][58]

During 12–15 March 2017, President Aliyev made official visit to France[59][60] and met with executive officials of international companies SUEZ, DCNS, CIFAL, Space Systems in the Airbus Defence and Space Division.[61][62][63][64][65] President Aliyev in his meeting with French entrepreneurs stated that illegal activities of some companies in Nagorno-Karabakh is unacceptable and violates international and national laws.[66][67][68] Following his visit, Aliyev met with the French President in the Elysee Palace.[69][70][71] French President Francois Hollande made a press statement that status quo in Nagorno-Karabakh conflict is not the right option and he hopes that there can be a resumption of negotiations[72] and he urged other co-chairs of the Minsk Group, the United States and Russia, to contribute to this process.[73]

Aliyev with Russian President Dmitry Medvedev and Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan, 23 January 2012

Ilham Aliyev repeatedly characterized Azerbaijan-Russia relations as strategic partnership.[74][75][76] On 6 February 2004, Ilham Aliyev and Vladimir Putin, the president of Russia, signed the Moscow Declaration, which stated principles of relations between Azerbaijan and Russia.[77] On 11 August 2004, President Aliyev adopted an Order to held “Year of Russia in Azerbaijan” in 2006 following the decision of Russia to held "Year of Azerbaijan in Russia" in 2005.[78] On February 16, 2005, Ilham Aliyev paid a working visit to Moscow and participated in the ceremony of opening the Year of Azerbaijan in Russia. .[79] Four months later, in June 14–15, 2005 – Ilham Aliyev again visited Russia and met with Russian president Vladimir Putin within the framework of ninth international economic forum.[80] On 29 June 2006, Ilham Aliyev and Dmitry Medvedev, former President of the Russian Federation, concluded a joint statement on the Caspian Sea.[81]

Meeting of President Ilham Aliyev with President Vladimir Putin

On November 1, 2017 another meeting took place between Ilham Aliyev and Vladimir Putin in Tehran, the capital of Iran.[82] Ilham Aliyev appraised the relations between two countries with the following words while meeting with Deputy Chairman of the Federation Council of Russia and Chairman of People's Assembly of Dagestan: “While reviewing the agenda of our bilateral relations at another meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, we found out that there is no a single issue that would need solution…Of course, today Russia and Azerbaijan demonstrate high-level good-neighborly, partnership and reliable friendly relations.”.[83]

In his visit to Sochi in early September 2018, Ilham Aliyev met his Russian counterpart and they signed the Joint Statement on Priority Areas of Economic Cooperation between the 2 countries.[84][85] Ilham Aliyev called Russia "very important and valuable partner" during Putin's visit to Baku on September 27 on his invitation.[84]

Ilham Aliyev has built relationship with the Russian Orthodox Church. On 24 April 2010, President Aliyev was awarded with the Order of Glory and Honour, a highest decoration of the Russian Orthodox Church, following the Order of St. Sergius of Radonezh 1st class in the past.[86][87] By the Order of Ilham Aliyev, Patriarch Kirill was granted with the "Sharaf" (Honor) medal of Azerbaijan in 2010.[88]

Before the start of a trilateral meeting. With President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev (centre), President of Iran Hassan Rouhani (left) and President of Russia Vladimir Putin

Following the initiative of President Aliyev,[89][90] for the first time[91] the trilateral summit between Russian, Iranian and Azerbaijani leaders was held in Baku in 2016 for purpose of fighting against terrorism, transnational organized crime, arms smuggling and drug trafficking in the region.[92][93][94][95][96] Presidents of Azerbaijan, Iran and Russia through trilaterally signed declaration pledged to develop the strategic transnational project, the International North-South Transport Corridor, which would run from India all the way to St. Petersburg in Russia, providing a faster and cheaper alternative to existing sea routes.[90][97][98][99][100] The next trilateral meeting held in 2017, the leaders exchanged views on mutual relations in the fields of transit and energy.[101]

Ilham Aliyev has sought to expand relations with the US. In this context, he made his first official visit to Washington at the invitation of former US President George W. Bush on April 25–28, 2006. During the meeting, he discussed issues of oil and gas industry, regional and global energy security, transportation, etc. with his American counterpart.[102][103]

On September 24, 2010, Ilham Aliyev met the 44th US President Barack Obama in New York when he visited the US for the 65th Session of the UN General Assembly.[104] Ilham Aliyev's next official visit to the USA has been made within the framework of Nuclear Security Summit at the invitation of Barack Obama on March 31 – April 1, 2016.[105][106][107] Ilham Aliyev held a bilateral meeting with former Vice President Joe Biden. The parties had discussions on counterterrorism and cooperation in various fields. Joe Biden emphasized the importance of the Southern Gas Corridor to strengthen energy security of Europe.[108]

On September 20, 2017, Ilham Aliyev met US President Donald Trump at the reception hosted by latter in the framework of the 72nd Session of the UN General Assembly in New York.[109]

In his letter to the President Ilham Aliyev on the opening of 24th annual International Caspian Oil and Gas Exhibition and Conference in Baku, Donald Trump mentioned that US is strongly committed to Southern Gas Corridor which ensures energy security of Europe and appreciates Azerbaijan's important role in supporting this global energy security.[110]

Ilham Aliyev and British Prime Minister Theresa May, London, April 2018

Ilham Aliyev and NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg at the joint press conference in November 2017

Ilham Aliyev has extended Azerbaijan's collaboration with NATO, as the country joined the Individual Partnership Action Plan in 2004, which allows the systematisation of bilateral partnerships as well as the coordination of cooperation on any issue of mutual interest. Azerbaijan has completed NATO-Azerbaijan Individual Partnership Action Plan (IPAP) documents for the first (2005-2007), second (2008-2010) and the third (2012-2013) period.[111] Ilham Aliyev introduced Azerbaijan's first IPAP to NATO in Brussels on May 19, 2014.[112]

Ilham Aliyev visited Paris in May 2006 and attended the spring session of NATO Parliament Assembly. In 2006, November 8 he met Secretary-General of NATO Jaap de Hoop Scheffer in Brussels.[113] Ilham Aliyev has visited Brussels several times; he met with Jaap de Hoop Scheffer bilaterally on April 29 before the meeting of North Atlantic Council.[114] During his visit to Brussels in February 2012, Ilham Aliyev was welcomed by Secretary-General of NATO Anders Fogh Rasmussen at NATO Headquarters and they discussed the possible future enhancement of cooperation between Azerbaijan and NATO.[115] In 2014, again the President Aliyev met with NATO Secretary General and participated in the meeting of North Atlantic Council as part of his working visit to Brussels.[116]

Aliyev with Nikol Pashinyan.

As the President of the country contributing to the NATO-led operations in Afghanistan, Ilham Aliyev participated at the meetings during NATO Summit in Chicago in 2012 and NATO Summit in Wales in September 2014.[117][118] Ilham Aliyev took part in the session on Afghanistan at the NATO Summit in Warsaw in July, 2016.[119][120] On 23 November 2017, President Ilham Aliyev met with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg in Brussels. They discussed the partnership between NATO and Azerbaijan and regional security in the South Caucasus. The Secretary General also appreciated Azerbaijan's contribution to NATO-led “Resolute Support” mission in Afghanistan[121][122]

Azerbaijan's balanced foreign policy and regional importance has allowed top military officers of USA and Russia, Joseph Dunford-the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and Valery Gerasimov- Chief of General Staff to decide on their meeting to be held in Baku on cooperation.[123][124]

Ilham Aliyev repeatedly stated that relations with the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) are among the priorities for Azerbaijan in foreign policy.[125][126][127] During his presidency, Aliyev met with the Secretary General of OIC for the first time within the framework of the third extraordinary summit of IOC in Mecca city, in 2005[128] In 2006, 2009, 2012, 2013, President Aliyev received the Secretary General of OIC in Baku, Azerbaijan.[129][130][131][125] Accordingly, on 6 April 2015, he visited to the OIC Headquarter in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia and met with Secretary General of the OIC.[132][133] Ilham Aliyev received President of the Islamic Conference Youth Forum for Dialogue and Cooperation in 2006 and 2007 in Baku.[134][135] Furthermore, on September 3, 2006, he participated in the ceremony of Inauguration of permanent headquarters of the Islamic Conference Youth Forum for dialogue and Cooperation in Istanbul, Turkey.[136][137]

Following the decision of the fifth Islamic Conference of Culture Ministers to declare Baku as Capital of Islamic Culture for 2009, on 27 August 2008, Ilham Aliyev adopted an Order on the Preparation of the International event named "Baku – Capital of Islamic Culture".[138][139] He signed an Order to establish Organising Committee regarding the decision of the sixth Islamic Conference of Culture Ministers to designate Nakhchivan city as Capital of Islamic Culture for 2018.[138][140] On 26–27 April 2017, OIC conference on the Role of media in the development of tolerance and mutual understanding was held under the auspices of President Ilham Aliyev in pursuance of the Baku declaration which was adopted by OIC Foreign Ministers at 33rd session.[141][142]

Aliyev with Azerbaijani World War II veterans.

Intercultural dialogue was one of priority areas of cultural policy of President Aliyev. In 2008, President Aliyev launched the “Baku Process” initiative for promotion of intercultural dialogue at the Conference of Ministers responsible for Culture under the theme of “Intercultural dialogue as a basis for peace and sustainable development in Europe and its neighboring regions.”[143] While delivering a speech at the 65th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (23 September 2010, New York) President Aliyev announced his intention to organize World Forum on Intercultural Dialogue.[144] His initiative was supported by international organizations such as UNESCO, UN Alliance of Civilizations, World Tourism Organization, Council of Europe, North-South Center of the Council of Europe, ISESCO etc.[145][146][147] Starting from 2011, four high level World Forums on Intercultural Dialogue has been held in Baku until 2017[148] Ilham Aliyev by signing a respective decree approved “Conception of Culture of Azerbaijan Republic” on 14 February 2014.[149] Three months later on 15 May 2014, he signed the Decree on the Formation of Baku International Centre of Multiculturalism[150] He also by Presidential decree of 11 January 2016 declared the year 2016 as “the Year of Multiculturalism” in Azerbaijan.[151] Ilham Aliyev characterized the tolerance and multiculturalism as a state policy and lifestyle in Azerbaijan.[152] Under his leadership Azerbaijan hosted seventh Global Forum of the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) under the theme “Living Together in Inclusive Societies, A Challenge and A Goal” on April 25–27, 2016[153] Decree on Approving the State Program for the Protection and Development of Carpet Art in the Republic of Azerbaijan for 2018-2022 was signed by Ilham Aliyev on February 28, 2018 in order to protect carpet waving traditions, enhance export potential of carpets and provide more workplaces for the people engaged in this area.[154][155]

On May 5, 2004, President Ilham Aliyev signed an Order to establish “Azerbaijan National Encyclopedia” Science Center.[156] Almost four years later, on 10 April 2008, he approved the Decree to constitute the State Commission on Reforms in Science.[157] On October 21, 2009, Ilham Aliyev signed another Order on Establishment of the Science Development Foundation under the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan.[158] Almost four months later, on 19 February 2010, President Ilham Aliyev approved the Charter of the Science Development Foundation.[159][160][161] On January 14, 2016, Ilham Aliyev by his Decree established the National Commission of the Republic of Azerbaijan for Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization.[162] He also established Ganja Branch of Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences on December 19, 2012.[163] On November 8, 2016, President Aliyev approved an Order to create High-Tech Park of Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences.[164][165] Another State Program in the field of science approved by Ilham Aliyev in November 2018 is "2019-2022 State Program on development of distance surveillance services in the Republic of Azerbaijan through satellite".[166]

Under the instruction of Ilham Aliyev, Azerbaijan sent humanitarian aid to Palestine, Nepal, Djibouti on April 10, 2017, and to Rohingya refugees on September 8, 2017.[167][168][169][170] On 27 February 2012, Vlade Divac, Chairman of Olympic Committee of Serbia and the founder of “Foundation Ana and Vlade Divac,” decorated Ilham Aliyev with the international award of a “True friend of the Balkans” also provision of humanitarian aid and policies among others.[171] Ilham Aliyev co-founded Baku International Humanitarian Forum along with Vladimir Putin. He together with other high-ranked officials of states and international organizations participated in the opening ceremonies and delivered speeches in the first, second, third, fourth, and fifth Baku International Humanitarian Forums held in 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, and 2016 respectively.[172][173][174][175][176] He appreciated the role of the event in the Baku International Humanitarian Forum with the following words: “...humanitarian events send a message to the world that progressive representatives of the world should consolidate their efforts even more closely... The deepening of international humanitarian cooperation can prevent the negative and enhance positive trends to some extent.”[177]

Ilham Aliyev initiated and signed laws on "State care for people with diabetes" in 2003; "Turnover of narcotics, psychotropic substances and their precursors" in 2005; "Pharmaceutical products" in 2006; "Fight against the disease caused by human immunodeficiency virus" in 2010; "State care of multiple sclerosis" in 2012; "Mandatory child dispensing" in 2013.[178] According to the Decree of the President Ilham Aliyev, The State Agency on Mandatory Health Insurance under the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Azerbaijan was established on 27 December 2007.[179] Development Concept of “Azerbaijan 2020: vision to the future” which defines maintaining high quality health services to population as major objective was adopted by president Ilham Aliyev on 29 December 2012.[180] In 2016, November 29, Ilham Aliyev signed a decree on “Measures to implement pilot project on application of compulsory health insurance in Mingachevir city and Yevlakh region” two regions of Azerbaijan.[181]

On October 19, 2006, President Ilham Aliyev initiated and signed the order on education of Azerbaijani youth in foreign countries, in which he tasked state bodies to draft respective state program.[182] Accordingly, on 16 April 2007, he by his decree adopted the State program on the study of Azerbaijani youth in foreign countries for the years of 2007-2015.[183] On February 9, 2007, Ilham Aliyev signed an order to declare of 2007 “Year of youth” in Azerbaijan.[184] In 2007, Azerbaijan hosted the event “Youth for the alliance of civilizations” International conference co-organized, at the Islamic Conference Youth Forum for Dialogue and Cooperation, by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, United Nations Development Program, the Council of Europe and ISESCO.[185] On December 19, 2011, Ilham Aliyev signed the decree on the establishment of the Youth Foundation under the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan which intends to provide support to youth initiatives.[186] Presidential Award for Youth was created by the decree of Ilham Aliyev in July 2013.[187] On September 15, 2017, Ilham Aliyev signed the order on adoption of “Azerbaijani youth 2017-2025” state program.[188]

In Mart 24, 2006, Ilham Aliyev signed an Order on adoption of “National Strategy and Action Plan on Protection and Sustainable Use of Biodiversity in the Republic of Azerbaijan.”[189] 10 years after, on October 3, 2016, he signed another Order on Approval of the “National Strategy for the Protection and Sustainable Use of Biodiversity in the Republic of Azerbaijan for 2017-2020.”[190] On July 8, 2008, Ilham Aliyev signed a Decree on approval of “Standards of vibration and noise pollution that adversely affect the environment and human health.”[191] On October 16, 2009, at the expanded meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers on the results of socioeconomic development in nine months of 2009, Ilham Aliyev proposed to declare the year 2010 as the “Year of Environment.”[192] As a follow up to this measures, four months later, on February 18, 2010, he chaired a meeting on environmental problems[193] Within the scope of the “Year of Environment”, the “Azerbaijan for a Green World” international ecological exhibition was held to which President Aliyev attended on September 17, 2010. .[194] He established numerous national parks such as Hirkan National Park, Altiaghaj National Park, Absheron National Park, Shahdag National Park, Goygol National Park and others by his Orders.[195][196][197][198][199]

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev attended Strategic Outlook Eurasia session during World Economic Forum 2018 in Davos

Due to economic policies of Ilham Aliyev, GDP of Azerbaijan between the years of 2003-2016 increased more than 5 times as in 2003, when President Aliyev took office, GDP of Azerbaijan amounted to US$7.276 Billion and was US$37.848 Billion in 2016 according to World Bank data.[200][201] In 2007, March 6 Ilham Aliyev signed the Decree on the Establishment of Special Economic Zones in Azerbaijan.[202] On 20 April 2016, Ilham Aliyev signed a Decree to establish the Center for Analysis of Economic Reforms and Communication.[203][204] On November 6, 2017, he passed another Decree to establish “Azerbaijan Industrial Corporation” Open Joint-Stock Company.[205] Ilham Aliyev participated in the World Economic Forum Annual Meetings held in Davos- Klosters, Switzerland in 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019.[206][207][208][209][210][211] Ilham Aliyev defines the diversification of exports as one of priority direction in the future of national economy.[212] In 2019 WEF meeting, Ilham Aliyev noted that according to 2019 Doing Business report, Azerbaijan's position improved 32 steps and ranked 25th among 190 economies.[211]

As President Aliyev has stated several times himself, the social welfare of the people of Azerbaijan is one of the priority areas of his policy.[213][214][215] Social policy has been conducting through state programs and laws in different aspects of social matters.[216] State Program on Poverty Reduction in Azerbaijan for 2008-2015,[217] State Program on development of insurance-pension system of the Republic of Azerbaijan for 2009-2015,[218] State Program on socio-economic development of regions for 2004-2008, 2009-2013, 2014–2018, 2019-2023,[219] Law on Targeted State Social Assistance (2005),[220] Law on labor pensions (2006),[221] Decree on certain issues of mortgage lending (2016),[222] Order on providing one-time assistance to low-income families (2018)[223] are among them signed by President Aliyev aimed at advancing social security and social infrastructure in the country. Besides, laws on social protection of people in different categories such as veterans, refugees, IDPs, disabled people including war invalids, and families of martyrs have been adopted. Since the beginning of 2019, the number of martyrs' families provided with a lump-sum allowance has been increased, the amount of Presidential scholarship paid to them, as well as the amount of government scholarship for students have been raised,[224][225] compensation has been allocated to the individuals suffered from devaluation whose credit burden increased.[226][227] In June 2019, President Ilham Aliyev signed a decree on increasing the minimum wage to 250 manats from September 1 of the same year.[228]

On January 10, 2017 Ilham Aliyev by his decree announced the year of 2017 as the year of Islamic Solidarity.[229] Later the same year he signed another decree and allocated funding for organization of measures related to year of Islamic Solidarity.[230] Ilham Aliyev signed three Orders on financial assistance to religious organizations in Azerbaijan in 2014, 2016, and 2017. The financial assistance from the Presidential Reserve Fund has been apportioned among Caucasian Muslims Office, the Archbishop of Baku and Azerbaijan of the Russian Orthodox Church, the Community of Mountain Jews, the Community of European Jews, the Apostolic Prefecture of the Roman Catholic Church, and the Alban-Udi Christian Community.[231][232][233] In 2014 and 2015, Ilham Aliyev approved two Orders on “Additional measures to reinforce the promotion of religious culture, tolerance, interreligious and intercultural dialogue in Azerbaijan.” According to the Orders, 3 million manats (6 million in total) were allocated to the Religious Culture Development Fund from the Presidential Reserve Fund[234][235] On July 17, 2015, Ilham Aliyev allocated 3 million manats from the Presidential Reserve Fund to restore religious historical and cultural monuments in Azerbaijan[236]

With the Decree on Modernization of Judicial system signed on 19 January 2006 by President Ilham Aliyev, the country entered the further step in terms of the quality of the judicial system. New courts, as well as new appeal courts in regions were established to increase the effectiveness and people’s access to courts in regions. The number of judges increased, court activities modernized and the apparatus of courts upgraded based on the Decree. Based on the new judicial system, appeal courts (composed of 4 chambers – Civil, Criminal, Military and Administrative-Economic) started to operate in 6 regions of Azerbaijan to fulfill their duties on territorial jurisdiction. The Amendments to the “Law on Courts and Judges” and “Law on Judicial-Legal Council” adopted as a result of cooperating with Council of Europe also played an important role in increasing effectiveness of justice in Azerbaijan.[237] Another phase in the judicial-legal system of Azerbaijan has started with the Decree on Deepening Reforms in the Judicial System signed by Ilham Aliyev on April 3, 2019. Criminal Code of Azerbaijan and Law on Constitutional Court of Azerbaijan have been amended since then.[238][239][240]

“Azerbaijan 2020: Vision to the future” national economic development concept is considered one of major strategic initiatives of Ilham Aliyev for further development of the country. The respective Decree on preparation of this concept was signed by him on November 29, 2011, and the concept itself was adopted on December 29, 2012 by his another Decree.[241][242] The concept provides measures and actions for development of various fields of economy and increase in public welfare by the year of 2020.[243][244] In its messages for Azerbaijan's voluntary Report on implementation of United Nations Sustainable Development Goals the concept of “Azerbaijan 2020: vision to the future” formulated by Ilham Aliyev was described as a strategy which reflects the longer-term national aspirations, opportunities for investors and the key challenges on the way towards those goals.[245] The similar approach was noted in ther report prepared for World Economic Forum 2015 and published in the Foreign Affairs magazine.[246] The specialised economic magazine "The Business Year" assessed the outcomes of the concept initiated by Ilham Aliyev as a wise designed strategy which planned to secure national economic interests of Azerbaijan.[247] On November 2018, lham Aliyev approved the State Program on Increasing International Competitiveness of the Higher Education System in the Republic of Azerbaijan for 2019-2023 within the framework of this concept.[248]

President Ilham Aliyev signed a Decree endorsing “Strategic road maps for the National Economy and main economic sectors” on December 6, 2016.[249][250] On January 16, 2017, Ilham Aliyev met with Dominic Barton, the global managing partner of McKinsey&Company, which undertook the preparation of the strategic road maps, within the World Economic Forum in Davos.[251]

Ilham Aliyev during his public statements regularly stressed that governance and anticorruption reforms are the priority of the state policy and for this purpose his government take administrative steps and institutional measures.[252][253][254][255] Since his presidency in 2003, Ilham Aliyev has adopted 5 anti-corruption policy, public administration reforms documents for the following years: 2004-2006 (State Programme on Fight Against Corruption),[256] 2007-2011(National Strategy on Strengthening Transparency and Fight Against Corruption),[257] 2012-2015 (National Action Plans on Fight Against Corruption and Promotion of Open Government)[258] and 2016-2018 (National Action Plan on Promotion of Open Government).[259] On 3 March 2004, Ilham Aliyev signed decree to enforce Law on Fight against Corruption, established specialised Anti-Corruption Directorate under General Prosecutor Office and within the same decree instructed drafting the statute of another entity Commission on Combating Corruption to be specialised in prevention of Corruption.[260] Consequently, on 1 June 2005, Ilham Aliyev signed decree to enforce the Law adopting the noted Statute.[261] In order to strengthen carried out measures in the field of Anti-Money Laundering and Counter Terrorism Financing, Ilham Aliyev adopted National Action Plan (2017 – 2019) on Anti-Money Laundering and Fight against Financing of Terrorism on 18 November 2016.[262]

TI's well known report the 2013 Global Corruption Barometer (GCB) indicates 69% of respondents consider that the government's efforts are effective in the fight against corruption and 71% of respondents agree that an ordinary person can make a difference in the fight against corruption in Azerbaijan.[263][264] Aliyev's government officially alleged that CPI does not reflect carried out anti-corruption measures in the country, such as CPI is composed of sources which are based on expert views.[265] However, government officials claimed to support results of GCB, considering its results are based on survey of citizens.[266]

According to Transparency International's Azerbaijan scores just 30 on the Transparency International Corruption Perceptions Index, indicating a serious problem with corruption. On 8 August 2017, Transparency Azerbaijan announced that it had scaled back its operations in the capital city of Baku, because the government would not approve an extension of the funding as it comes from outside the country. According to Transparency International "The blanket ban on foreign grants has brought the country’s civil society to a halt and has dealt a devastating blow to civic initiatives across the board".[267]

ASAN service, which was established by presidential decree in 2012,[268] is internationally recognized for its role in elimination of corruption in public services[269][270] and received United Nation's award on public service delivery.[271] ASAN service is currently researched and applied by world countries[272] such as France which signed a memorandum with Azerbaijan in order to apply practice of ASAN service (mobile service system) in France.[273] In addition, during a meeting with Pakistanian delegation, Pakistani side expressed the integration of ASAN Service model into their government service fields as well. Based on concept of "ASAN service" experience, the government of Afghanistan has established "Asan Khedmat" public service center, which functions under the auspices of the Ministry of Finance.[274][275][276] "ASAN service" is currently researched and applied by foreign countries, including Albania, Italy, Estonia, Republic of Macedonia, Indonesia and others.[277]

On March 14, 2018, it was launched E-government Development Center. The service was set up based on the presidential Decree No.1885 named “About e-government development and measures related to the transition to digital government”. The service tries to utilize digital technologies, establish e-government to make state services operate more efficiently, ensure public services availability, and improve the living standards of the citizens of the country. Actually, the service monitors the performance of the ASAN Payment, ASAN Visa, ASAN Wi-Fi, ASAN Finance and other relevant projects.

Further allegations relate to his economic policies, as some analysts and politicians claimed that falling oil prices and related economic turmoil in global markets indicated that Ilham Aliyev's economic policies caused the Azerbaijan economy to become dependent on oil and gas. They asserted that the government failed to manage the economic crisis well, and Aliyev's policy does not promise to solve the challenges in the economy.[318][319][320] Critics also did not welcome the borrowing of assets from international financial institutions as a remedial solution. Ilham Aliyev and his office was accused of the devaluation of Azerbaijan currency. Further, critics have questioned Aliyev's lack of progress for export diversification, with experts stating Azerbaijan will cease to produce a significant amount of oil by 2030.

However, following developments and recent economic figures indicate that implemented reforms and applied policies were timely and effective in terms of decreasing the negative impact of falling oil prices.[321] In the 2019 Doing Business report, Azerbaijan climbed 32 spots in comparison with 2017 to rank 25th among 190 states this year, topping CIS counties. On January 11, 2019, at the expanded meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers on the results of socioeconomic development in 2018, Ilham Aliyev stressed that Azerbaijani's foreign exchange reserves today amount to $45 billion and its external debt has dropped from 22.8 to 19 percent.[322]

Aliyev family

The Washington Post's Andrew Higgins published an article in 2010 that Azerbaijanis with the same names as Ilham Aliyev's three children own real estate in Dubai worth about $75 million as of 2010.[323] Furthermore, Higgins noted that some members of the family are indeed wealthy, such as the president's older daughter, Leyla, was married to Emin Agalarov, a Russian billionaire, and relatives of the first lady have businesses in Azerbaijan as well.

Journalist Khadija Ismayilova who worked for the United States government-funded Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty based on journalist investigations claimed at times that the Aliyev's family controlled some companies such as “Azerfon”, “Azenco”, and assets worth $3 billion in the largest Azerbaijani banks. ^{[273][263][264][324][325]}

The investigation of International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ) has claimed that the Aliyev family owns at least four offshore companies directly connected with Hassan Gozal. ICIJ notes that family members never declared Aliyevs’ offshore companies, Ilham and Mehriban Aliyevs had no legal right to open offshore companies, and when these companies were opened, measures were taken to conceal the real owners. When registering the companies, Aliyev's daughters indicated property worth about $6 million.[326] [327] The Azeri press secretary Azer Gasimov told BBC-Azerbaijan that he does not see anything unusual in the fact that the names of members of the presidential family are mentioned in business activities: “Each of them, like any citizen of Azerbaijan, has the right to be engaged in business. Both – age and other criterias allow them to do this in accordance with the law.”.[328][329] Investigation of Swedish television showed that offshore companies controlled by Aliyevs received from “TeliaSonera”, the Swedish telecommunications company, a factual bribe in the form of shares of “Azercell” cellular operator in the amount of 600-700 million dollars (due to the estimate of 2005), which was purchased for only 6.5 million dollars.[330][331][332] In a resolution of September 10, 2015, the European Parliament called on the EU authorities to conduct a thorough investigation of allegations of corruption against Ilham Aliyev and his family members.[333]

His critic Khadija Ismayilova was detained in December 2014 and sentenced in September 2015 to seven-and-a-half years in prison on trumped-up charges. She was conditionally released in May 2016, but three and a half years later, still remains subject to a travel ban and has been unable to leave the country despite numerous applications to do so. Lawyers will be seeking permission for Ismayilova to travel to the UK to give evidence in the trial of Paul Radu, a Romanian journalist who is co-founder and executive director of investigative reporting group OCCRP (the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project). Radu is being sued for defamation in London by Azerbaijani MP, Javanshir Feyziyev, over two articles in OCCRP’s award-winning Azerbaijan Laundromat series about money-laundering out of Azerbaijan. Ismayilova, OCCRP’s lead reporter in Azerbaijan, is a key witness in the case.[334]

In 2012, Aliyev convinced the government of Hungary to transfer convicted murderer Ramil Safarov to Azerbaijan to complete the rest of his prison term. While attending a NATO-sponsored English-language course in Hungary, Safarov had murdered an Armenian lieutenant who was also taking the course, Gurgen Margaryan, while Margaryan was asleep. Safarov admitted that he committed the crime and surrendered himself to the police. Safarov has justified the act based over the Naghorno Karabakh conflict between the two countries from 1988-1994.[335][336] Safarov had been tried and sentenced to life imprisonment in Hungary. However, after being extradited to Azerbaijan, Safarov received a hero's welcome, receiving a medal and new home funded by the Azerbaijani government. According to Azerbaijani authorities, Safarov was pardoned in accordance with Article 12 of the convention on the Transfer of Sentenced Person. He was promoted to the rank of major, and given an apartment and over eight years of back pay, covering the time he had spent in jail.

Shortly after thousands of Azerbaijani people gathered to commemorate massacre carried out by Armenians 20 years earlier, President Aliyev posted in his official website: “Our main enemies are Armenians of the world and the hypocritical and corrupt politicians that they control”.[337][338] However, according to the same sources of citation, it is the Armenian leadership who are the real targets of President Aliyev's criticism.[339] During his speech Ilham Aliyev noted: "I once said that the Armenian people should not be afraid of us, they should be afraid of their own leadership."[340]

In 2008, Aliyev declared that “Nagorno Karabakh will not be independent; the position is backed by international mediators as well; Armenia has to accept the reality" and falsely also stated that "in 1918, Yerevan was granted to the Armenians. It was a great mistake. The khanate of Iravan was the Azeri territory, the Armenians were guests there."[341] President Ilham Aliyev stated, "the occupation of the territory of the sovereign State with its internationally recognized boundaries – our territorial integrity is recognized by the United Nation and has been left out of due attention of the international community.[342] All these facts are the ever seen injustice.[342] No project can be carried out in the Armenian occupied Azerbaijani territories without the consent and participation of Azerbaijan."[343]

On 20 September 2017, at the 72nd Regular Session of the UN General Assembly, President Aliyev reminded unexecuted UN Security Council Resolutions regarding Nagorno-Karabakh: “In 1993, United Nations Security Council adopted 4 resolutions demanding immediate and unconditional withdrawal of Armenian troops from the territory of Azerbaijan. Armenia for 24 years ignores UN Security Council resolutions and unfortunately is not punished for that. In some cases, UN Security Council resolutions are implemented within days. In our case it’s 24 years that resolutions are not implemented. This is a double standards approach. This approach is unacceptable.” He reiterated the significance of international law for the resolution of conflict: “Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict must be resolved on the basis of international law, relevant UN Security Council resolutions. Territorial integrity of Azerbaijan must be completely restored.”[344]

•  Azerbaijan – Heydar Aliyev Order °
•  Azerbaijan – Order of Sheikhulislam °

•  Romania – Order of the Star of Romania (2004) °
•  Saudi Arabia – Order of Abdulaziz Al Saud (2005) °
•  Georgia – Order of Honor of Georgia °
•  Bulgaria - Order of Stara Planina
•  France – Grand Cross of the Legion of Honor °
•  Poland – Order of Merit of the Republic of Poland °
•  Ukraine – First Class of the Order of Prince Yaroslav the Wise (2008)[351]
•  Kuwait – Order of Mubarak the Great °
•  Greece – Gold Medal of the Hellenic Republic °
•  Latvia – Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Three Stars °
•  Romania – Grand Cross of Faithful Service °
•  Tajikistan – Order of Ismoili Somoni
•  Turkey – First Class of the Order of the State of Republic of Turkey (2013)[352]
•  Ukraine – Order of Liberty (2013)[353]
•  Ukraine – Order of Prince Yaroslav Mudry of 1st Class
•  Serbia – Order of the Republic of Serbia (2013)[354]
•  Italy Knight Grand Cross with Collar of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic (12 July 2018)
•  Bulgaria – “Friendship” order of Bulgaria (2019)[355]

International organizations

•  CIS Medal For Distinction in Protection of CIS State Borders and Badge for Strengthening of Border Cooperation (2008).[356]

Others

•  Turkey – İhsan Doğramacı Prize for International Relations for Peace °
•  Russia – Prepodobniy Sergiy Rodonejskiy first degree Order of Russian Orthodox Church °
• International Military Sports Council – Grand Cordon Order of Merit °