Employment in services remains at 28 percent, approximately the same level as in the mid-1980s. Until 1994 Azerbaijan used the Russian ruble as its currency. That year, the Azerbaijani manat became the sole legal tender. Government Azerbaijan is currently governed under a 1978 constitution. Because of the conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh, little progress has been made toward drafting a new system of laws and principles.
Executive power is vested in a president.
Legislative power is vested in the Milli Majlis, or National Assembly, voted into existence by the Supreme Soviet in May 1992. This assembly of 50 members replaced an earlier, 70-member version that had been created in 1991. The Supreme Soviet was suspended upon creation of the Milli Majlis. The area of Azerbaijan was settled from about the 8th century BC by the Medes, and the region later became part of the Persian Empire. A much-disputed area, it was conquered in the late 7th century AD by Arabs, who introduced Islamic culture.