Press Review 06/23/2016

The attractiveness of the country for investment, an increase in crime in the country, the attitude to the agreement expected to be signed with the EU are the main topics of today's press.

The official newspaper Azerbaijan considers that the country is very attractive for investment. The author assures investors that there are no problems and there is struggle against corruption. In this regard, a lot of work is done by ASAN Khidmet, which became a brand for Azerbaijan. Despite the fact that the new stage of the financial and economic crisis began in the world, Azerbaijan ensures the development of all macroeconomic parameters.

Azadlig continues to write about the coming third wave of devaluation. Judge Azer Mehdiyev talks about the financial situation of the country. He notes that from February to December 2015 the manat strengthened, but it did not justify itself. The expert argues that this error is repeated again. He argues that the AZN strengthening with inflows of petrodollars was too big a mistake. Now all signs of the Dutch Disease are taking place in Azerbaijan.

Echo reports that unemployment drives people to crime. For this reason it is necessary to open new jobs, according to an expert Kamil Salimov. According to him, most of the arrested people are unemployed. Many people in the public sector face staff downsizing. In this case, the creation of as many jobs is required, he said. During the crisis, crime is growing rapidly. It seems that unemployment stimulates crime.

Novoye Vremya considers the outcome of Azerbaijan’s strategic agreement with the EU. According to Deputy Foreign Minister Mahmud Mammadguliyev, the negotiations with the EU are on four topics: political dialogue, including issues of security, justice and protection of human rights, economy, social and humanitarian affairs, and trade.

The Framework Agreement EU-Azerbaijan will be discussed at the session of the European Parliament on 6 August. The EU presented a draft agreement to the Government of Azerbaijan in May 2015 as part of the Riga summit Eastern Partnership. Azerbaijan put forward an initiative to enter into an agreement with the EU on strategic partnership, instead of the modernized Association Agreement. This document is not a legal one, but rather a plan of action. The new document provides for the approximation of legislation and procedures of Azerbaijan to the most important international trade and EU norms and standards, which should lead to an improvement in the access of Azerbaijani goods to EU markets.

However, products from Azerbaijan will not stand competition. Second, our products are not waited by anyone in Europe. Russia is a traditional market for our products.

Bizim Yol writes about the deplorable situation of agriculture in the country. Sowing is carried out haphazardly. Seed growing has been incapacitated. An expert in the field of agriculture Valeh Maharramli says it will not bring anything good to the country. At the lowest level are the indicators of crop and livestock production, and the export of agricultural products has fallen sharply (53-82%).