Media Review April 29, 2019

A new stage in the development of Azeri-Chirag-Guneshli fields, the lack of gas in the village of Khydyrly, and the discussion of car production are the leading topics of today's media.

The Azerbaijan newspaper writes about the beginning of the next stage of development of the Azeri-Chirag-Guneshli fields. For this purpose, the Merkezi-Shergi-Azeri project was approved. The steering committee approved the development of the ACG project, which cost 6 billion dollars. The project includes a new offshore platform, as well as new installations that provide daily oil production of 100 thousand barrels. During the operation of the platform it is planned to extract 300 million barrels of oil. The first production is expected in 2023. Currently, ACG consists of 8 offshore platforms, 6 of which are mining, and two are processing.

The website Moderator.az writes that there is still no gas in the village of Khydyrly, Salyan region. Villagers heat the houses and schools with wood. For the wood in winter, you have to pay about 300 manat. There are those who spend 400-500 manat. A lot of money goes on the purchase of gas cylinders. There is gas in the neighboring villages. The residents have addressed many offices, but there are no results of that.

The website Yenisabah.az writes about the production of cars in the country, discussing the issue with experts. The latter warned the authorities that this would increase the outflow of currency from the country; the budget would suffer triple damage. First, they allocate state funds for the construction of the plant, then allocate money from the state budget and buy the same cars for state structures, and finally, they buy dollars at the money supplied to the plant and send them to Iran. Experts give more detailed figures of this waste and unprofitability.

The website Azpolitika.info discusses with the MP Vahid Ahmedov the issues on the country's agenda. This is the upcoming agreement between Azerbaijan and the EU, which will serve the development of the country. The MP believes there are forces that prevent the signing of this agreement, including Russia and Armenia. However, 90% of the agreement has already been agreed, and another 10% will be agreed. The MP also raises the issue of the forces that hinder the implementation of reforms. These reforms are also expected in the Milli Majlis after the elections in 2020, which may cause changes. As for the demolition of the fortress walls in Icheri Sheher, there can be no talk of building any object close to the wall. -0-