Aliyev reacts to Macron and Borrell over 'sovereignty'

Azerbaijani President Aliyev received a delegation led by Michael Harms, Executive Director of the German Eastern Business Association.

Recalling the meeting he held with Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan on February 17 in Munich, Germany, hosted by German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Aliyev emphasized that Germany is contributing to the peace process between Azerbaijan and Armenia.

"GERMANY REMAINS NEUTRAL"

Stating that he supports the proposal for a meeting between the foreign ministers of Azerbaijan and Armenia in Berlin, Aliyev said, "Unlike France, which fuels the fire and provides lethal weapons to Armenia, Germany remains neutral in the peace process.

International law norms are on our side. We have faced baseless and biased accusations because we have secured our country's sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Azerbaijan is not taking any steps different from those taken by other countries to ensure its own territory and sovereignty," he said.

"WE CONSIDER THESE AS VEILED THREATS"

Stating that double standards have become commonplace in a number of international organizations, including the EU, Aliyev said, "Joseph Borrell's inaccurate statements on this matter disappointed us. First of all, his statements do not reflect any reality and are contrary to the norms of international law. Secondly, the Azerbaijani side considers these statements as veiled threats against our country. 

Borrell said that if Azerbaijan attacks Armenia, it will face painful consequences. First of all, where did Borrell get the information that Azerbaijan plans to attack Armenia? We have no such plan. These are Mr. Macron's insinuations. All of this is part of France's anti-Azerbaijan policy, which is based on slandering our country in connection with the claim that Azerbaijan is preparing to attack Armenia," he said.

Emphasizing that the situation on the border had been calm until this month following the last serious tension on the Azerbaijan-Armenia border in September 2023, Aliyev said, "However, after an Armenian sniper seriously wounded an Azerbaijani soldier in February, we had to respond to this in a timely and correct manner.

Our response lasted a few minutes and it was enough for Armenia to understand that the attempt to kill Azerbaijanis would not go unpunished, and as I said, apart from this incident, calm has prevailed on the border since September of last year. So, Mr. Borrell and Mr. Macron are getting this information not from reality, but from their imaginations," he said.

"WE ARE BEING ACCUSED BY MACRON, BORRELL AND THE LIKE"

Stating that they have been attacked by some EU politicians after Azerbaijan liberated Karabakh from Armenian occupation, Aliyev said, "We were subjected to attacks after we ensured our territorial integrity and sovereignty and destroyed the nest of separatism in Karabakh.

We are being accused by Macron, Borrell and the like. Let's take Ukraine. Ukraine also wants to restore its territorial integrity. Germany and other countries are sending weapons to Ukraine. You all declare that Ukraine must ensure its territorial integrity.

Well, what about our territorial integrity? Is this issue less important than the Ukraine issue?" he said.

"WE MAY CONSIDER WITHDRAWING FROM THE COUNCIL OF EUROPE"

Stating that German Chancellor Scholz showed neutrality in his statements and actions, Aliyev said, "A member of the party he leads wants to exclude Azerbaijan, one of the 2 non-Christian countries in the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, and does so in a flashy and conscious way. As you know, we have decided not to participate in the sessions of this institution. Because if we don't have the right to express our position, why should we be there? If our delegation's rights are not restored within a year, we may seriously consider withdrawing from the Council of Europe entirely," he said.

"I THINK RUSSIA ACCEPTS IT"

Stating that the OSCE Minsk Group, co-chaired by France, the USA, and Russia, did not take any steps to resolve the conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan for 30 years, Aliyev said, "When we started to liberate our lands, these 3 countries started to put pressure on us. Each of them used different tools to turn us away from our path. They did not want us to liberate our lands. 

When we ended separatism in September last year, they were wrong again. Some are still making mistakes. I am talking about the USA and France. I think Russia now understands very well what is happening and accepts the new realities. The USA and France should do the same. Otherwise, the situation will not go as they planned. These countries should work with Azerbaijan, which is the leading country of the South Caucasus with its economy, army, and extensive international relations," he said.

News Source: İHA