Azerbaijan assures about its intention to normalize relations with Armenia, but at the same time sharply increases its defense budget.

This is apparent in the bill "On the state budget of the Republic of Azerbaijan for 2023," which the country’s parliament received on Monday, according to Day.az.

It is noted that strengthening Azerbaijan's defense capability and ensuring national security remain the main priorities of state budget expenditures. Accordingly, in the 2023 state budget, 5.3 billion mantas (approx. US$3.1 billion)—which is 17.1 percent more than in 2021—are allocated for these objectives