Gudrat Hasanguliyev, chairman of the Justice, Law, Democracy (AHD) Party and a member of parliament, gave an interview to elchi.
We present that interview:
-Gudrat bey, on September 11, 2026, the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan approved the “National Action Plan for 2027-2029 on the development of competition and the prevention of monopolistic activities” by decree. What necessity did this stem from?
-The document itself states that the main purpose of preparing the National Action Plan is to stimulate the growth of private investment in the country’s economy by improving the competitive environment in commodity and service markets in the context of rapidly changing global economic relations, as well as to achieve sustainable and competitive economic growth.
Whether the document will help achieve the set goals, time will tell. The “Strategic Road Maps for the national economy and main sectors of the economy” adopted on December 6, 2016, were practically not implemented. We can also consider the adoption of the NAP as an announcement of the start of economic reforms. In addition to strong political will, we need strong courts that will protect property, the competitive environment, and resolve disputes in this area fairly. We should also not view foreign investors as a source of danger. All doors and windows of the country should be opened for a favorable business environment. The Chinese example is before our eyes (liberalization of the economy, creation of special economic zones, attraction of foreign investments and, along with it, advanced Western technology). The government should increase its efforts to attract investors to the Alat Free Economic Zone. Yesterday, while receiving members of the Council of Religious Leaders of the Organization of Turkic States and participants of the Yahya Bakuvi International Conference, President Ilham Aliyev said that “our unity will strengthen each of us. When the Turkic world, the Caucasus, and the Islamic world are together, no one can defeat us. No one can commit injustice against us.” For this, we should think about creating a common economic market (a single economic space where goods, labor, and capital move freely and services are provided) and a Customs Union with Turkic states and our close neighbors. Turkic states should accept Anatolian Turkish as a common language, and that language should be taught in their countries. Turkey, which has a larger and stronger economy and population, should assist other Turkic states in this matter. Strong economic integration will ensure the rapprochement of Turkic peoples in the fields of humanitarian, cultural, and scientific activities, and will serve peace, security, and the provision of a prosperous life for people.
-Gudrat bey, you are talking about economic integration with neighbors, but Armenia met the visit of foreign diplomats to the liberated territories with weapons. Do you believe that a peace treaty will be signed with Armenia in the near future and that cooperation will expand?
-Armenia needs time to strengthen and take revenge, and that is why it talks about peace, but it does not take real steps in this direction. The recent elections also showed that the revanchist mood in society is very strong and the government is not making serious efforts to change the situation, and the policy of hostility towards our country is not being abandoned. Apparently, Armenia perceives our opening of the railway line and selling them fuel as our weakness, and as it has done throughout the conflict period, it ignores our calls for peace. If Armenia does not start the implementation of the TRIPP project soon and does not go to a referendum for the signing of a peace treaty, the government should reconsider its decisions. At this time, the option of opening the Zangezur corridor through the use of force, which I once voiced, should also be considered. In this direction, it is necessary to start consultations with Turkey, Russia, and the USA, as well as with neighbors and allies. Azerbaijan must soon force Armenia to sign a peace treaty and focus its attention on the development of our economy.