Epress.am News from Armenia
Russian President Dmitry Medvedev’s decision to fire Moscow mayor Yuri Luzhkov has caused great resonance in Azerbaijan. This is due to the fact that Azerbaijanis have businesses in the Russian capital and in Baku, they are worried about the fate of their compatriots, reports Azerbaijani publication Sharg.
According to chair of the Azerbaijan Association of Merchants and Producers Sevgim Rakhmanov, Luzhkov’s dismissal will be a huge blow to Azerbaijani businesses in Moscow.
“If the prosecution takes up Luzhkov’s case, then Azerbaijani business owners will suffer. Furthermore, much depends on who will be Moscow’s next mayor. In any case, after Luzkhov’s discharge, a number of Azerbaijani businessmen will be forced to close their businesses, while others will be forced to regroup,” he said.
Head of the All-Russian Congress of Azerbaijanis in Moscow Ilgar Hajiyev believes that the Azerbaijani Diaspora is accustomed to good treatment by the Moscow authorities.
“But nothing lasts forever. By and large, it was Luzhkov’s last year in office. Good attitude toward Azerbaijanis is displayed by not only the government of Moscow, but also [Russian] president Dmitry Medvedev. We are convinced that the Azerbaijani Diaspora will have no problems with the new mayor,” said Hajiyev.