Chairman of the Justice, Law, Democracy (AHD) Party and Member of Parliament Gudrat Hasanguliyev has answered questions from the party’s press service.
elchi presents the interview:
– Mr. Gudrat, we would like to know your opinion on the decision adopted by the Milli Majlis regarding the European Parliament…
– The European Parliament systematically adopts unfair decisions against Azerbaijan that damage relations. The latest such decision was adopted on April 30. After the peace agreement with Armenia was initialed in Washington, many thought that the European Parliament might change its position and contribute to peace. But that did not happen. We have a proverb: “The dog let go, but the bag did not.” Now Armenia wants to advance the peace process with Azerbaijan, but the European Parliament does not let go; it adopts provocative decisions that stimulate revanchists. During the conflict with Armenia, we have faced the West’s very unfair policy of double standards, which tramples on international law. I always say that in fueling separatism in Karabakh, turning it into a bloody war, and the blood shed, the West shares great guilt alongside the leadership of Armenia and the Soviet Union at that time. They did not condemn separatism and occupation. They imposed sanctions on us, not on the occupier Armenia. Instead of demanding the establishment of an international tribunal over Armenian President Sargsyan, who said he was proud of committing the Khojaly genocide, and other participants in that bloody crime against humanity, they gave him a standing ovation at the PACE session. Both the Speaker and my fellow deputies spoke extensively about this at the Milli Majlis meeting. There is no longer any point in continuing cooperation with the European Parliament, which has become a tool of pressure, serving other interests on order, and is Islamophobic and corrupt. Apparently, they are also seriously concerned about the steps taken towards restoring relations with Russia and the warm ties with the US President.
– Can the European Parliament change its position after the decision of the Milli Majlis and the note presented by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs?
– Although they promised to do so once in 2015, they did not keep their word. Everything depends on them. Azerbaijan has always been interested in developing relations with the European Union.
– What harm can the deterioration of relations cause us?
– We have strategic partnership agreements with 9 European Union countries. Azerbaijan plays a certain role in Europe’s energy security, and because of the problems in oil exports from Gulf countries due to the US-Iran conflict, they currently need us more. Azerbaijan does not demand that they stay silent because we sell them energy resources. Azerbaijan demands that they end the policy of double standards and be fair in their attitude towards us. By the way, I should also say that I do not accept the claims that they adopt unfair decisions against us based on false information. They understand very well what is happening in the region and regarding Azerbaijan. Some of the parliamentarians do this based on the instructions of their governments, some for bribes, and some because of their Islamophobic views. Refusing to cooperate with the European Parliament does not mean ending cooperation with the European Union as a whole.