Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev stated that the country must be "ten times stronger" than Armenia "every day," explaining this by the need to maintain military superiority even after the initialing of a peace agreement between the two countries. He outlined his position on October 2 at the 8th Congress of the ruling New Azerbaijan Party in Baku.
Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan justified the payment of large New Year bonuses to officials by citing the need to improve government efficiency and the attractiveness of public service. He stated that this is part of the government's anti-corruption strategy.
"We consider this decision necessary to improve government efficiency," Pashinyan said at a briefing.
Earlier, media reported on a secret bonus order under which Armenian officials received a total of 3 billion drams (approximately $7.8 million). Specifically, ministers received up to 7 million drams ($18,100), their deputies up to 4.5 million drams, department heads up to 3 million, and division heads up to 2 million.
It is noted that a minister's bonus is comparable to 14 years of average pension or eight years of average salary.