Azerbaijan always did and will increase the state budget; however, the country is facing the same economic issues as Armenia, according to ARF Dashnaktsutyun MP, a member of the standing parliamentary committee for economic issues Ara Nranyan.

“Azerbaijan, like Armenia, has diversification problems, in view of excessive development of oil industry. Uneven territorial development causes serious issues in remote districts of the country.”

“The double increase of Azeri military budget does not suggest their intention to unleash a war. To Azerbaijan, consequences of a war would come at a higher price than the military operation in South Ossetia. Aliyev family prefers income from oil industry over a questionable war,” the expert concluded.