Are the oil revenues distributed fairly in the country?
– We claim that majority of the oil revenues are appropriated as a result of corruption. This is a serious problem. International financial crisis has created another fear, because another part of oil revenues has been invested into securities, which have depreciated as a result of the crisis. I think that Azerbaijan must have a serious public control over the state investment projects. The mechanisms of corruption prevention must be worked out. Otherwise, we shall have problems with the payment of our foreign debts starting from the next year. – How do you regard the social security measures in the crisis period? – No measures are taken in this field. According to the law, which is currently in the effect, every year we have indexation, but this is insufficient and partial. Only the insured part of the labor pension is indexed. President has issued a directive on this issue, but it is not implemented. At least 20% of all social and budgetary payments, or salaries, pensions and welfare
