The expectations of the Azerbaijani public, that a period of reforms will begin after the extraordinary presidential elections, do not seem to be justified. Ilham Aliyev, as required by the constitution, presented the old-new candidate for the chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers, Ali Asadov, to the approval of the Majlis of the Mili. The latter is 65 years old, received higher education at the Moscow Institute of Economics.
Asadov’s political career began in 1995, when he was elected to the Milli Mejlis. Then he held the position of Heydar Aliyev’s assistant on economic issues, was the deputy head of the president’s office. He was appointed Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers from that position in 2019. on October 8. It can be considered that Ali Asadov has already been appointed, and this choice suggests that Ilham Aliyev is showing a political orientation. Equality to Moscow.
It has become known that Azerbaijan and Russia are negotiating the joint production of passenger cars. We are talking about the Russian Lada car assembly company. Experts are puzzled because the government previously announced a “strategic intent” to implement a similar program with South Korea. Why did the transaction not take place? Details are not provided.
“Turan” agency revealed that at the end of October last year, Minister of Economy, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Socar State Oil and Gas Company Jabarov went to Moscow to hold talks with Russian Deputy Prime Minister Novak. According to reports, the issue of exporting a part of Russian oil through the Baku-Ceyhan pipeline was discussed. At what stage are the negotiations – there is no information.
Experts consider that trade-economic and energy programs with Russia “mainly have a political component”. The “closeness” of the nature of the government of the two countries is also emphasized. Azerbaijani exile sources even claim that the existing and planned deals are “mutually beneficial for corrupt officials”. Azerbaijan plans to approve a “great privatization” program at the end of the year. The government is negotiating with BP.
Yesterday, Ilham Aliyev received a congratulatory message from the Prime Minister of Great Britain, where, however, there is no particular emphasis on energy projects. There may have been complications in the negotiations. Azerbaijan and Russia in 2022 on February 22, they signed a declaration of strategic cooperation, by which the parties are obliged to coordinate energy projects.
In his inauguration speech, Ilham Aliyev stated that priority will be given to bilateral agreements in relations with the European Union countries. How acceptable it will be to the European Commission is the question. The re-appointment of Ali Asadov as the chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers suggests that Ilham Aliyev prefers the informal but substantive integration of Azerbaijan into the Eurasian economic area.
