Natig Jafarli: With such a philosophy of governance reforms are impossible

The economic problems of Azerbaijan and ways of their solution were discussed several times at the expert level and investigative journalism, but these problems have become chronical,  said the executive secretary of the movement REAL Natig Jafarli in  an interview with "Voice of America" ​​and Turan agecy, commenting on recent statements by President Ilham Aliyev about the necessity of reform. According to him, the positive is that this issue raised  the Head of State, who also raised the issue of corruption and monopoly. However, it was discussed earlier more than once, but the results did not follow. "Let's hope that this time will be different,"  said Jafarli.

To eliminate bribery, corruption, monopolies, the shadow economy only calls are not enough , and structural reforms are needed, starting with amendments to the Constitution, laws, and changes in government.

"Solving the existing problems in the current system, the rules of the game and with the current management philosophy  is impossible," said the expert. It is necessary to reduce the function of controlling and supervising bodies, to reduce the degree of intervention and powers. This should be a reason to change most of the legislative and constitutional acts. It is necessary to establish a special group, which would have prepared the legislative framework reform, said Jafarli.

Reducing the budget for next year by four billion manats will force the government to a number of structural changes which should affect the structure, preventing the development of business. Some ministries and state administration must be either eliminated or merged. For example, for a long time we discussed the question of unification of customs and tax authorities. "It would be nice if these structures operate under the Ministry of Finance in the form of departments. There will be no need in the Taxes Ministry  as a separate structure. If you arrange the payment of taxes and  customs fees  on electronic level, the need for the existence of these structures will disappear.

Reforms should be in the construction sector, where several ministries, state committees and local authorities control this area, and where bribery and corruption thrives. These structures should be  liquidated or merged, and control of construction based on the principle of a single window.

Very important is the strengthening of social control, said Natig Jafarli. "Unfortunately, over the past two years, civil society, carrying public control, has been almost completely destroyed.

In Azerbaijan, there were dozens of NGOs that are able to perform this function: they held round tables, prepares a report, which the government in the period of large oil revenues, paid no attention. The country has a strong civil society. Unfortunately, after 2013 the authorities made steps towards the complete destruction of civil society, which means the weakening of social control.

"If the president really attaches so much importance to public control, the NGO law should be revised, conditions should be created for the development of civil society. Measures should be taken to resuscitate the existing human capacity in this area," he said.

As for the media, it plays a very important. There have been dozens of articles in the press on all issues raised by the President: a bureaucratic business, holdings of government officials, corruption and monopoly.

Press is one of the most effective ways of social control, and if it is so significant, it is corruption, as reflected in the media, should be seriously investigated and prosecuted, Jafarli emphasized. -03В-