(MENAFN- AzerNews)
Qabil Ashirov read more Armenian media outlets and pro-Armenian media in some foreign
countries are circulating news about a shortage of dram banknotes,
which are the Armenian currency, in and around Khankendi under the
control of the separatist regime. The so-called finance and economy
minister of separatists urged people not to withdraw banknotes from
banks unless necessary. Armenian media and separatists associate
the shortage of banknotes with a fictitious blockade.
As is known, more reserves of national currency are kept in the
central bank all over the world than needed. Also, payments are
made in non-cash form all over the world. Also, prices in the
territories under the control of separatist-controlled areas are
set by the central group. This means that inflation is actually
kept under control.
Speaking to AZERNEWS on the issue, economist
and political analyst Natig Jafarly said that in fact, the use of
Armenian drama over the so-called lack of Armenian dram in and
around Khankendi is a gross violation of Azerbaijani legislation.
He pointed out that this crisis can be created deliberately by the
Armenian government.
“It is necessary to look at this issue a little wider. The
Armenian state and the Pashinyan government are tired of being the
sponsors of Garabagh. This year, the Armenian state allocated
nearly $295m to the so-called regime overall in Garabagh.
Pashinyan's team cannot control these funds. It is not only about
whether Lachin Road is closed or not. Because banknotes are not
such bulky goods and products that make it impossible to bring.
Therefore, the Central Bank and the government of Armenia are also
interested in creating this density, more precisely, the shortage
of banknotes. Maybe they have their own interests. First and
furthermore, they can turn it into a PR company to announce the
emergence of a new crisis to the world, and secondly, they want to
slowly withdraw from the sponsorship of that separatist regime, and
if the reintegration process is going to happen, of course, the
Azerbaijani manat should work in those regions,” he said.
He also noted that the Armenian dram is not the only banknote in
Garabagh. The Russian ruble is also in circulation. He underscored
that it is a violation of Azerbaijani law, as well.
“There is also another problem here. Since the Russian
peacekeepers were temporarily stationed in the region, we see that
Russian rubles are in circulation in cafes and markets in and
around Khankendi.The salaries of the Russian peacekeepers
temporarily stationed there are paid in rubles, and the salaries
paid in rubles are spent by the Russian peacekeepers there. In
other words, in parallel with the Armenian drama, the circulation
of the ruble was also created. Again, this is a gross violation of
the legislation of the Republic of Azerbaijan, as well,” Jafarly
said.
He also touched on non-cash payments in Khankendi and said that
the infrastructure of the Azerbaijani Central Bank and Azerbaijani
banks must be developed in Khankendi. Because it is important for
reintegration.
“As for non-cash payments, in fact, this kind of payments in and
around Khankendi through Armenian banks are illegal. This is the
territory of Azerbaijan, and the infrastructure of the Central Bank
of Azerbaijan and Azerbaijani banks should be built here. Because
the integration of the financial system is an extremely important
element for the reintegration of that region into Azerbaijan. That
is, money transfer systems of Azerbaijani banks should be
established there, online payments should be made using Azerbaijani
bank cards, and ATMs should be installed. The pension issue of
elderly Azerbaijani citizens of Armenian origin living there should
be resolved and finally, salaries should be paid in Azerbaijani
manat. That is, all this is a part of reintegration."
In addition, the economist approached the issue from several
aspects while talking about the current situation. He noted that as
the current conditions continue like this, the matter becomes much
more serious: "First, as I told before, the state to conduct a PR
campaign as if there is a shortage of banknotes, which becomes a
factor that aggravates the humanitarian situation. Secondly, the
state of Armenia is also concerned about the fact that the
separatist regime living in Khankendi and its surroundings is not
fully under the control of the state of Armenia and listens more to
the words of the clan formed by Sargsyan and Kocharian. While the
separatist regime is more under their control than Pashinyan, the
clan tries to squeeze them to a certain extent by means of
financial instruments and to fulfill its agenda in Khankendi.
Despite the fact that the regime opposes Pashinyan's rules, I think
that Armenian government may also be interested here,” he
added.