Is it possible to relocate many state institutions (Constitutional Court, Supreme Court, Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources, Ministry of Culture...), for example, to Khankendi, Aghdam for the rapid revival of our liberated territories and to ease the burden on the capital Baku?
Speaking to Medianews.az on the subject, former Minister of Finance, Chairman of the "Economics" International Economic Research Association, Doctor of Economic Sciences, Professor Fikret Yusifov states that reducing the burden on the capital Baku is one of the most important tasks today. According to him, the rapid influx of people from regions to the capital over the years has ultimately created serious problems in Baku: “The worst part is that these problems are deepening, the flow from regions does not stop, which increases congestion in Baku, complicates vehicle movement, and ultimately seriously affects the normal life of people.
Look, in 2025, 123,300 vehicles were imported into Azerbaijan. Considering that the country’s motor vehicle fleet has an average of 1.7 million vehicles, the 123,300 vehicles imported in 2025 will constitute 7.3 percent of the fleet. That is, on average, the number of vehicles in the country increases by 7-8 percent annually, and about 80 percent of these vehicles are used on the Absheron Peninsula, primarily in Baku city. Now let's see, can we expand the roads in Baku by this much every year? Naturally, no!”
According to Fikret Yusifov, all this once again shows that the government must take radical steps to reduce the burden on the capital Baku: “Otherwise, after a few years, vehicle movement in Baku will simply stop, and the capital will become paralyzed. The relocation of some state institutions and universities from the capital to the regions can be considered a step toward solving the problem, but this will not be the complete solution. We need to think about a new capital — there is no alternative to this option. It does not mean that we must build and establish this capital in 3-5 years. Let the new capital be built over 10-15 years according to modern urban planning requirements. In this case, the state’s financial burden will not be great either.”
Doctor of Architectural Sciences, Professor Elchin Aliyev in a statement to Medianews.az supports the idea of relocating some state institutions to the liberated territories. He notes that this step would also give additional impetus to the development of the liberated territories: “I am generally in favor of moving the capital from Baku to Aghdam. Of course, not only Aghdam, there are other options as well. Having the capital geographically located in the center of the country, specifically in the Karabakh region, is a very good idea.
As a first step, gradually, I would say, over decades, it would be possible to start relocating state agencies, including the institutions you mentioned, to those territories. As an architect, I feel that our truly liberated territories are being built according to new urban planning and global urban development standards: wide streets, attractive boulevards… Baku can remain a cultural center, while Aghdam city can be selected as the administrative-political center. I support this idea.”
Naila Gasimova,
Medianews.az
Note: The article was prepared on the topic “Great Return” to the liberated territories with the financial support of the Media Development Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan and in accordance with the competition conditions.
