Press Review 08.16.2016

Multilateral activity of Ilham Aliyev, the attitude of the National Council to the attempts of the  government to  find supporters of Gulen in the country, reducing the financial and oil resources of the country are  the leading topics of today's press.

The official newspaper "Azerbaijan" published an article by Bakhtiyar Sadigov, the chief editor of the newspaper, on the diplomatic qualities of the head of state. The author described the great skill of maintaining stability in the country, while the world is teeming with color revolutions, wars and the Arab Springs. It  becomes possible to avoid all this  thanks to the diplomacy of Ilham Aliyev, the author claims.

"Azadlig" published reply of the head of the National Council Jamil Hasanli to  attempts of  the  government to find supporters of  "Gülen network". The author believes that this is a threat to the PFPA leader Ali Kerimli, who opposes the referendum to change the Constitution. Jamil Hasanli recalls that at one time the authorities tried to blame him and Ali Kerimli  of religious radicalism.

Hasanli ironically reminded that they should look for Gülen's followers in the presidential administration, parliament and other state institutions, which  were very good friends and collaborated with Gülen’s organizations.

"Bizim Yol" publish a notice  on daily reduction of oil production by 20 million barrels. The country expects an even more difficult situation, despite the fact that since the beginning of this year, oil  price has risen to $27. Against this background, AZN continues to become cheaper, the country's revenues decline.

The total reserves of the Central Bank and the Oil Fund in the first half of 2016 decreased by $700 million. According to forecasts of OPEC and IEA, in the second half of the daily oil production in Azerbaijan will decrease by about 20.000 barrels.

In 2011 the Oil Fund revenues amounted to $19.9 billion, in 2014 - $16.3 billion, in 2015 -$7.6 billion, but in 2016 is projected at $4.5 billion.