Top official: Improving people`s living standard has been among key priorities for the Azerbaijani President

Baku, January 4 (AzerTAc). Chief of the Social and Political Affairs Department at the Presidential Administration, Ali Hasanov, has praised the President`s domestic economic and social policy. “Improving people`s living standard has been among key priorities for Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev,” Hasanov told an AzerTAc correspondent. “Nearly one million jobs have been created in Azerbaijan, with the unemployment level falling to 5.5% and poverty ratio to 9%. The country implements a program of targeted social assistance, which covers more than 500,000 people. Some 112,000 families monthly receive about an average of $130.” Hasanov hailed the President`s efforts to strengthen the population`s social security, noting salaries and pensions have been increased every year, including in 2011. “In terms of these indicators Azerbaijan is among the leaders in the CIS.” He also praised the country`s military power, saying “Azerbaijan has a strong defense and security system. It is impossible to exert external pressure on it, threaten it and force to do something.” “Azerbaijan has achieved important successes in army building. Today, Azerbaijan`s military budget is one and a half times more than the entire budget of Armenia. Our armed forces are provided with modern equipment and weapons. The country produces more than 500 types of defensive products,” he added.