Media Review for February 24

The likelihood of full-time education returning to the online system due to the coronavirus, the lack of normal parking in Baku, the reasons for the closure of the metro, and the response to the expansion of the Russian military base near the borders of Azerbaijan are the topics of today's media.

The Yenisabah.az website discusses with expert Kamran Asadov the likelihood of school closures due to the coronavirus and a return to online education after the closure of the Republican Arts Gymnasium, where 8 teachers and several students fell ill with coronavirus.

The expert recalls that from September 15 to October 15, 2020, cases of coronavirus infection were recorded in 40 schools and 75 grades. One of the reasons is the public transport used by schoolchildren. School buses need to be organized to keep the kids safe.

The website Mətbuat.az is discussing with the property expert Elnur Farzaliyev the situation with parking in the capital and fines related to parking. So, citizens for parking in front of a site where there is no parking lot are fined 20 manats. There are not many special car parks in the city, and the price is not low, so many people cannot afford it. In addition, the first and second floors of high-rise buildings are occupied by shops, and parking is not provided, hence the problems.

The Sfera.az website writes that the reason the metro is not being opened is the usual saving of money. As you know, the metro is subsidized by the state and operates at a loss, that is, revenues are three times less than expenses. It turns out that the closure of the subway brings only benefits to the treasury. According to the 2019 report, the annual income of the metro amounted to 124 million manats, of which 69 million manats came from passenger transportation, and 5.7 million manats from advertising and other services, while 49 million manats were government subsidies.

As for expenses, in 2019 they amounted to 179 million manats. In 2020, the metro was closed for over 200 days.

The website Bizimyolinfo.az writes that Armenia wants to bring the Russian military base closer to the Azerbaijani border. According to Armenian sources, Russia wants to transport part of the military base in Armenia to Karabakh. A serious discussion of this issue has begun between Yerevan and Moscow. However, the author considers this to be impossible, since Russia does not want to aggravate relations with Azerbaijan yet. Military expert Adalyat Verdiev is of this opinion, adding that the transfer of the military base requires a lot of money.

The website Müsavat.com writes about the events carried out by the separatist regime in Khankendi. In particular, about the march on February 20, which became a challenge to Azerbaijan. Suppression of the activities of Armenian separatists is one of the main tasks. Otherwise, provocations will continue.