Press Review 09/16/2016

The official newspaper Azerbaijan has published an article, which states that changes to the Constitution are the demand of time. The author argues that a new page in the administrative traditions of Azerbaijan will be opened by the referendum on September 26. The referendum, according to the author, will define the basics of independent law and state system. The constitutional reforms also serve to protect the stability in Azerbaijan. The author cites the statements of the MP from the ruling party Aydin Mirzazadeh on the proposed amendments to the Constitution, as well as MP Rovshan Rzayev.

The website Azadliq.info discusses the attitude of the authorities to the National Council’s rally of September 11. The author believes that this action will put an end to a lot of doubts, and bring clarity to many issues, for this rally was the strongest over the past 10 years. The author writes that the authorities hoped for failure of the opposition, however, this confidence is not justified. The author also writes about the authorities’ combat against Gulen supporters. They have chosen the democratic camp as a target, while they do not fight the true Gulen. The article also gives arguments on the appointment of the next opposition rally to September 17 and expresses hope for even greater mass actions.

Echo has published an article titled No Bank in Azerbaijan Works Transparently. ‘In general we can say that none of the banks in Azerbaijan works transparently. Only 8 of the 33 banks work more or less reliably,’ the author of the book Banking Law in Azerbaijan, the director of the IJS Law Firm, the head of the law firm Anti Collector and a member of the Bar Association of Azerbaijan, Akram Hasanov said. According to him, according to the law On Banks and rules of Applications of Corporate Governance Standards in Banks, financial institutions must operate transparently. This is necessary to gain greater public confidence. After all, banks take collateral for loans, so they do not completely trust either. Why, in that case, should people trust them completely? The overwhelming majority of banks do not publish quarterly reports. And this is despite the fact that this is required by the legislation of Azerbaijan. According to the expert, while series of measures to improve the situation in the banking sector are not taken, fewer people will trust banks and use banking services. -0-