Azerbaijan won’t pick new “elder brother”: Mollazade

Oxu.Az has interviewed Asim Mollazade, leader of the Democratic Reforms Party and a member of parliament.

- The European Parliament recently adopted a resolution, criticizing the state of human rights in Azerbaijan. What would you say about the resolution?

- It was not the first resolution by the European Parliament, and it will not be the last one. I hope documents like these will not adversely affect the mutually beneficial relationship between Azerbaijan and the EU that’s based on common interests. 

I am well aware of the position of certain circles in the European Parliament seeking to seriously damage relations between Azerbaijan and the European Parliament. It is evident from the fact that the resolution was adopted at the very moment when the European Union is particularly interested in the development of energy projects with Azerbaijan. A lot of work is being done in this direction at the moment. Projects like Tanap and TAP will significantly contribute to Europe’s energy security. But the forces rivaling with Azerbaijan on this and Armenian diaspora groups in many countries of Europe are doing everything they can to camouflage Armenia’s role in the region, which is based on aggression and military operations.    

Azerbaijan, like any other post-Soviet country, has problems with democracy and human rights. The situation is not any better in Armenia. But for some reason, Armenia is not a subject of discussions about democracy and human rights. It is Azerbaijan, a key country to European energy security, that’s often criticized at the European Parliament and many other similar organizations.   

- That’s right. Europe often criticizes Azerbaijan but keeps silent on Armenia.  

- We have got accustomed to it, and will move on. We would want the European Parliament to continue working to ensure the supremacy of law in our region. Above all, we want the European Parliament to implement its own resolutions on the occupation of Azerbaijan’s territory and the ethnic cleansing carried out in the occupied territory. I think that would be the best contribution by the European Union to stability and prosperity in our region. 

- Is Azerbaijan going to respond by issuing a resolution of the kind? 

- No, we will not. We have cooperated (with the European Union) and will continue doing so. Simply, we have repeatedly tried to explain them in Brussels that although we have said “goodbye” to our elder brother, it does not mean that we are going to pick a new one, be it Brussels, Washington or Ankara, so that they treat us as a child.   

- During the discussions at the European Parliament, some MEPs called for sanctions against specific Azerbaijani officials.

- Every MEP has to answer for his or her action. I am not going to comment on that. Azerbaijan’s Foreign Ministry issued a statement in response. It seemed like a balanced statement to me.  

- Can Azerbaijan change its foreign policy line because of these double standards?

- I think there will be no policy change in Azerbaijan in the near future.

Bakudaily.Az