Media Review for November 26, 2019

Azerbaijani-Russian relations, the timing of the application of compulsory health insurance, and discussion of municipal elections are the topics of today's media.

The newspaper Azerbaijan writes about the Azerbaijani-Russian relations and their development in ascending order. The author notes that, with the exception of Armenia, Azerbaijan has a good neighborly policy towards all neighboring states. Indicative in this sense are relations with Russia. Baku and Moscow are in constant contact.

There is a sufficient legal basis for relations between the two countries, since more than 200 documents regarding cooperation have been signed. According to the results of the past year, the trade turnover between the Russian Federation and Azerbaijan increased by 19%, amounting to 2.6 billion US dollars, and over the 9 months of this year, growth increased to 26%.

About 700 enterprises with Russian capital are registered in Azerbaijan, and the volume of Russian investments is $ 4.9 billion. Azerbaijan has invested $ 1.2 billion in the Russian economy. In 2018, about 900 thousand Russian tourists visited Azerbaijan. The author also noted the recent visit of the First Vice President of Azerbaijan Mehriban Aliyeva to Moscow, which met all expectations.

The website Modern.az writes about compulsory health insurance, which will not be fully implemented next year. The transition to medical insurance will be carried out in 4 stages. At the first stage, medical insurance will be applied in Sheki, Guba, Gusar, Khachmaz, Shabran, Khizi, Shamakhy, Ismayilli, Agsu, Gobustan, Balakan, Zagatala, Gakh, Oguz, Gabala, Geychay, Ujar, Zardob, and Kurdamir.

During the second stage - April-June, medical insurance will be applied in 17 regions - Ganja, Naftalan, Geygel, Goranboy, Dashkesan, Samukh, Shamkir, Gazakh, Akstafa, Gadabay, Tovuz, Barda, Terter, Agdam, Agjabedi, Fizuli, and Beylagan.

At the third stage, July-September, medical insurance will be applied in 14 regions: Lankaran, Masalli, Lerik, Yardimli, Astara, Jalilabad, Salyan, Neftchala, Bilasuvar, Imishli, Saatly, Hajikabul, and Sabirabad.

During the last 4 stages, medical insurance in October-December will be applied in Baku, Sumgait, and Absheron. The package will include medical services for 3,000 diagnoses.

The website Moderator.az writes about the upcoming municipal elections, discussing the elections with the lawyer Alesker Mammadli. According to him, the municipalities created 20 years ago could not become a fully independent and plenipotentiary structure. Their status remains unclear and vague. Preference is given to the executive branch, since they are directly allocated funds from the budget, and they carry out various works. Municipalities are given a small subsidy, which is only enough for the municipalities to support themselves.

The executive directly participates in municipal elections. Until democratic municipal elections are held, municipalities do not exist independently. As you know, the municipal elections in Azerbaijan will be held on December 23.