Ali Hasanov Reports on Machinations of International Forces to Drop Oil Prices

The Presidential Aide Ali Hasanov met with the public of the Guba region, trying to soothe the people. In particular, he tried to convince the public of the temporary nature of the economic problems and the government's ability to solve them.

He noted that Azerbaijan had been invested $ 200 billion dollars, of which 100 billion USD accounted for Azerbaijani sources and 100 billion for foreign sources.

The sharp drop in oil prices affects all countries, including Azerbaijan. "Even in the crisis year, our economy grew by 1.1%, the growth of non-oil sector amounted to 8.4%," he said.

According to him, Azerbaijan will receive revenues of the transport corridors East-West and North-South. The railroad Baku-Tbilisi-Kars and the railway transportation of cargoes from Europe to Asia will provide most of the strategic resources of Azerbaijan. In addition, the use of transit from Iran and the Persian Gulf via Azerbaijan to the north will bring more revenue to the country, said Hasanov.

Further, he actually admitted miscalculation of the government that the post-oil period, when oil revenues would stop, had been planned for the 2030s. At the same time, he tried to shift the blame on others. "The artificial fall in oil prices, which has been directly influenced by international processes, at the instigation of certain international forces, caught us ahead of time," Hasanov said,

Then he began to talk about the successful development of the country's regions, the growth of welfare of the people, reduction of unemployment and poverty, and increase in salaries and pensions.

He said "significant economic and political reforms" will be held in 2016.

In particular, structural changes will relate to overlapping and inefficient structures, which will be eliminated. The control system will be fully upgraded. He reported a successful investment policy abroad, naming an example of Turkey, where Azerbaijan invested $ 20 billion.

Regarding the regions, Hasanov admitted that 90% of the regions of Azerbaijan depend on subsidies and are financed from the center. "This cannot go on forever. The state should finance only important issues," he said, urging local authorities to create conditions for ordinary citizens.

A few weeks ago in Guba and the neighboring Siyazan there were serious protests that grew into clashes with police. The reason for the unrest was social problems, such as poverty and unemployment. Dozens of people were arrested.   -02D-