Friday Wrap-up: another meeting in Brussels, change in posts and a possible referendum

Illustration: Meydan TV.

The week of May 23-27 saw leaders from Azerbaijan and Armenia meeting with the European Council once again, Javid Gurbanov’s position re-managed by Aliyev and rumors about a referendum

One more trilateral meeting between President Ilham Aliyev, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and European Council President Charles Michel

After a meeting to discuss issues related to border demarcation and delimitation between Azerbaijan and Armenia, Charles Michel stated to the press that the discussions were sincere and productive.

The European Council president affirmed that the leaders agreed to continue discussions on a future peace agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan, which would regulate interstate relations. Topics related to humanitarian help, establishment of communication lines and a possible peace agreement were also in the agenda.

In the coming weeks, delegations led by foreign ministers from both countries will meet. The parties will discuss all issues related to the delimitation of the border and how to ensure a stable situation in the best possible way.

Javid Gurbanov looses his position at Azerbaijan Railways

Javid Gurbanov was dismissed from his post as chairman of the Azerbaijan Railways Closed Joint-Stock Company by a presidential decree signed by Ilham Aliyev. With another decree, he was appointed Deputy Minister of Digital Development and Transport.

Gurbanov was chairman of the Azerbainjan Railways since 2015.

President Aliyev also signed decrees appointing Farid Ahmadov and Samir Mammadov as Deputy Ministers of Digital Development and Transport and amending the decree on the name of the Ministry of Transport, Communications and High Technologies.

It is reported that secret preparations for a referendum are underway in Azerbaijan

Sources in Baku, Ganja, Shamakhi and Mingachevir are reportedly preparing for a nationwide referendum by local executive bodies, according to BBC news.

Rauf Arifoglu, the founder of the Yeni Musavat Media Group, affirmed that government sources told him that a referendum would be held in the coming months. According to him, the draft amendments to the constitution have even passed the initial discussions of the “upper layers of the government”.

Apparently, the change envisaged by the government is not related to Karabakh, but is intended to change the political system itself, including the restoration of the proportional electoral system in the country.

A referendum was held in Azerbaijan on September 2016 to amend the constitution, extending the term of office of the President of Azerbaijan from five to seven years.


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