The High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, stated on Thursday, November 14, that the statements by the Azerbaijani head of state, Ilham Aliyev, against the European Union, France and the Netherlands are unacceptable.
He said President Ilham Aliyev’s “regrettable statements,” among other things, jeopardize the important goals of this year’s UN climate conference in Azerbaijan and undermine confidence in the Baku presidency.
“We stand with France and the Netherlands,” said the high representative, expressing concern about the human rights situation in Azerbaijan and condemning the actions of the country’s authorities against the press and NGOs.
He added that the European Union and its member states are “the largest contributor to global climate finance.”
Earlier on Wednesday, President Aliyev blamed “neocolonialism” for climate change and also accused France and the Netherlands of causing environmental damage to their overseas territories, citing French nuclear bomb explosions on Polynesian islands as an example. .
The president of Azerbaijan also condemned the government of the French president Emmanuel Macronwhom he accused of “committing crimes” in the French Pacific region of New Caledonia, and called Brussels and the European Council of Human Rights “symbols of political corruption” who, he said, “share responsibility with Paris for the murder of innocent.”
Aliyev also criticized Borrell for comparing Europe to the Garden of Eden and the rest of the world to the jungle. “If we are a jungle, get out of here and don’t interfere in our affairs!” he said.
Relations between Paris and Baku have been tense for some time. France accuses Azerbaijan of inciting unrest in New Caledonia and Azerbaijan does not like Paris’ support for Armenia.
President Macron did not personally attend the climate summit and would be represented by the Environment Minister. Agnès Pannier-Runacherwhich also described Aliyev’s statements as unacceptable and canceled its participation in the climate conference in Baku.
