Press Review 04/05/2016

Military operations in Karabakh, martyrs’ funeral and regional problems are the main topics of today's press.

 The Azadlig raises the issue of why the officials did not attend the funeral of martyrs. The newspaper cites the example of Turkey, where state officials take part in such events.

During the five days of the war the death of 12 martyrs was officially reported. However, government officials did not attend their funeral. The newspaper criticizes the indifference of the official government representatives.

The Novoye Vremya criticizes the fact-finding visit of the new co-rapporteur of the PACE Monitoring Committee Stephen Shannon. The change of the co-rapporteurs did not change the essence of their visits and activities, according to the newspaper.

Also criticized are the co-rapporteurs for their frivolous attitude to dialogue with civil society institutions. They are also not serious about the planned meetings with representatives of the media. The author blames PACE for inconsistency in its attitude to the provision of territorial integrity. In relations with our country the organization is most interested in geopolitics and energy issues, and human rights issues remain on the sidelines. They are used to achieve mercantile purposes.

The Yeni Musavat leads expert opinions examining the question of the impact of military action on the exchange rate of the manat. The expert Akram Hasanov believes that the weakening of the manat is due to the absence of free financial market in Azerbaijan. The expert Natig Jafarli believes immediate impact of events on the manat is due mainly to the arrival of foreign currency. Decrease in the arrival of currency in the country accelerates the fall of the manat.

The Central Bank reduces the US dollar without any apparent reason. In the conditions of war the national currency may fall heavily.

The expert Gubad Ibadoglu says there is no direct connection between the military conflict and the fall of the manat.

The Bizim Yol writes that the construction work in the park near the metro station Azadlig Prospecti is dangerous for citizens. At the subway station, built without the due supporting columns, there are cracks and traces of dampness. Nevertheless, the Baku Metro says the construction is not harmful. The article also notes that the construction of the park near the metro has been spent a million AZN.