Baku, Azerbaijan, Nov. 14
By Aynur Gasimova - Trend:
The double standards towards Azerbaijan are no longer news for anyone. This is something so common that it doesn't even come as a surprise.
One of the recent examples of this has been the reaction shown towards the British Prince Andrew's visit to Azerbaijan. The reaction was - a number of British media outlets broke into acrimonious articles.
And the articles, published about the same time, almost repeat each other, which suggests that they have the same source, as well as the same client who wanted them published.
Earlier this month, the UK Minister for Europe David Lidington visited Azerbaijan. Lidington, during his meeting with the country's president, pointed out that he witnessed great development in Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan. The meeting pointed out that the power industry is a priority in the economic development, and the British oil and gas company BP is the main partner of Azerbaijan. The parties also exchanged their views on the prospects of important infrastructure projects.
So, why didn't the British media write about Lidington's visit to Azerbaijan in the same manner they did to cover the visit by Prince Andrew? The answer is simple.
When it comes to energy, trade and economic relations, and the British companies' involvement in oil production in Azerbaijan, Baku is the best partner one can get.
Why aren't the British media asking one simple question: in what country and thanks to whose oil and gas the BP is making money, which then goes to their country's budget, and is spent to cover social, healthcare, education costs, safety and countering terrorism?
It is clear that each state takes only that political and economic stance, which benefits it the most.
Azerbaijan is an independent and self-sufficient state, seeing the principle of political and economic expediency as a priority. And it is time for the Western media to understand this.
Aynur Gasimova is the head of the Trend English News Service
Edited by SI