Baku: Azerbaijan can be compared to Eastern European countries, Chair of the Azerbaijani Parliament’s Committee for Regional Affairs, Siyavush Novruzov, stated during discussions on the draft law “On the State Budget of the Republic of Azerbaijan for 2025” at today’s plenary session of the Milli Majlis, APA reports. The Member of the Parliament noted that Azerbaijan has reached a level of development where it should not be compared to any country in the South Caucasus: ‘Azerbaijan can be compared to Eastern European countries.’

According to Azeri-Press News Agency, Siyavush Novruzov noted that Azerbaijan is currently forced to allocate funds for clearing landmines planted by Armenians on its territories: ‘If this wasn’t the case, those funds could have been directed toward solving social problems. For example, Bulgaria does not allocate funds for demining. For 30 years, our residential areas, hospitals, and schools were destroyed. Now, we are spending a significant portion of our earnings on their restoratio
n. For more than 30 years, we have supported 1 million internally displaced persons. Azerbaijan’s situation cannot be equated with others. Today, Armenia receives free weapons. Azerbaijan is forced to increase its defense and security expenditures.’