Discussion of the agenda with Nasimi Mammadli in the "Difficult issue"

Baku/14.07.23/Turan: Statements by President Ilham Aliyev during a meeting on the results of the first half of the year, the conclusions of the commission to investigate the environmental situation in the village of Soyudlu of the Gedabek district, a foiled plot to attack the Israeli embassy in Azerbaijan, the arrest of the former "secretary of the Security Council" representative of the irredentist regime in Khankendi Vitaly Balasanyan, a protest in Khankendi against closure of the Azerbaijani Lachyn corridor connecting the region with Armenia, Political commentator Nasimi Mammadli comments on the upcoming meeting of Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan in Brussels in the program "A Difficult Question".

Mammadli suggests that all the protests in Azerbaijan related to social demands stem from the poor governance of the country. He believes that the problems recognized by the President during the government meeting indicate the insufficient ability of the existing management system to cope with crisis situations and solve problems to the satisfaction of people. Mammadli claims that a highly centralized management system has been created in Azerbaijan, where officials at all levels, including ministers and even the Prime Minister, lack autonomy to make independent decisions. Instead, they are obliged to follow the instructions of higher authorities. The commentator suggests that state institutions lack coordination and initiative, since excessive zeal or initiative can lead to serious consequences, such as loss of office or prosecution.

As for Iran's provocations and terrorist acts in Azerbaijan, Mammadli suggests that Iran views Azerbaijan as a threat to its own sovereignty. He explains that Azerbaijan's close relations and cooperation with Turkey, Israel and the United Kingdom, as well as the country's development and success in the 44-day war serve as a positive motivation for Azerbaijanis living in Iran, which leads to an increase in national consciousness and sentiment. The commentator claims that Iran, where Persian chauvinism prevails, perceives Azerbaijan as an existential threat due to the mistreatment of Azerbaijani minorities living within its borders. In addition, Iran is very concerned about Azerbaijan's friendly ties with Israel, which Iran considers an enemy.

Mammadli claims that the arrest of Vitaly Balasanyan in Khankendi and the protest organized by the irredentist regime against the closure of the Azerbaijani Lachin corridor are aimed at undermining the peace agreement.

As for the upcoming meeting of President Ilham Aliyev and Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan in Brussels, Mammadli expresses limited expectations of significant results.