Armenia long passed ‘red line’, says Azerbaijani MP

By Azernews

By Rashid Shirinov

Recent events in Armenia in connection with the restriction of students’ right to defer the military service have caused serious discontent in the country's society. Hundreds of students were taking to the streets every day, a group of them has even went on hunger strike.

"Where once Armenia tried to hide serious problems in the society, now it is more difficult to do it," Azerbaijani MP Aydin Mirzazade told Trend, commenting on these events.

He believes that the main problem in Armenia is the population decline, its outflow from the country. Armenia's official statistics say that 14,300 people left the country during the past year, and in the last five years the number of permanent residents has decreased by 302,400. In addition, this year is showing the lowest birth rate in the last five years.

“Armenia has occupied part of Azerbaijan’s territory, and therefore it needs to keep a military contingent on these lands. Today Armenia faces serious problems with the replenishment of the ranks of this military contingent, and Armenia sees conscription of students for military service as the last way out of the situation," Mirzazade said, adding that this decision has led to unrest in the Armenian society.

The MP also commented on the recent decision of the Armenian Parliament to exempt imports of Russia's military products from Value Added Tax (VAT). He said Armenia has militaristic tendencies in its economic policy.

“In general, countries abolish VAT to strengthen the economy, improve the social status of the population, prevent the increase in prices for necessary products, but Armenia abolishes VAT for the purchase of military equipment, Mirzazade said. "It is obvious that Armenia is interested in preserving the military contingent in the occupied territory of Azerbaijan, not in the economy."

The MP added that this is an indicator that Armenia has long passed the ‘red line’, the country is rolling into the abyss and is heading for even more serious problems. "I believe that Armenia’s territorial claims against Azerbaijan should have led it to such a situation as a result,” he concluded.