Baku, Azerbaijan, Oct. 23
By Elchin Mehdiyev – Trend:
The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) seems to have turned into a tool in the hands of certain circles, Novruz Mammadov, assistant to the president for foreign policy issues, head of department, told reporters in Baku Oct. 23.
Mammadov said that the PACE has a biased approach towards Azerbaijan.
“PACE accepted two countries, but one of them has been keeping under occupation the territory of the other state for all these years. If PACE is such a fair structure, a supporter of justice, why doesn't it say anything about this, why it doesn't make any decisions?," noted the top official.
“Azerbaijan develops and has great authority. Despite the fact that the country is in a conflict, it ensures its own stability, security, sustainable development, as well as its authority in the region and on the international arena,” added Mammadov.
Although Azerbaijan is a small state, it is the initiator, participant and plays a leading role in creating such important corridors as North-South, East-West, the restoration of the Silk Road, he noted.
The Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan (BTC) oil pipeline, the Baku-Tbilisi-Erzurum gas pipeline, the TANAP, TAP projects, the North-South transport corridor, the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars (BTK) railway – all these projects represent the great work carried out by Azerbaijan during 26 years, said Mammadov.
“Even the biggest countries in the world did not do this kind of work. All this demonstrates the place, the role of Azerbaijan on the world arena. And, unfortunately, some circles in the West do not like it. They are looking for ways to say something, express some opinion. About Armenia, which has been occupying Azerbaijani territories for more than 25 years, they did not say a word, but if there is something small in Azerbaijan, they discuss it vigorously,” noted the top official.
Today, there is a big human tragedy in connection with Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar, he said.
“A few days ago on Euronews, the tragedy in connection with the Rohingya Muslims was regarded as the greatest tragedy of our time. This is true. But who committed this tragedy, in what country is this happening?! This tragedy takes place in a country led by the Nobel Prize winner defended by West for many years, Myanmar’s Minister for Foreign Affairs and State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi,” said Mammadov.
“This human rights activist is, in fact, the country’s leader and the prime minister. However, the West does not express a resolute, firm position on the Rohingya Muslims' issue."
“More than one million people in Azerbaijan became refugees and internally displaced persons in 1990. Why did not they regard these events in Azerbaijan as the biggest tragedy of our century over the years? This is an example. Yes, it is a big tragedy for Rohingya Muslims, but they have never said it with regard to Azerbaijan,” said the official.
“The Euronews TV channel is also among those silent. If it is alleged that the rights of one person are violated in Azerbaijan, they will talk and write about this for months. But sometimes there is no one who at least casually would have said about one million refugees and IDPs. This means bias, double standards. It is precisely such cases that interfere with stability and security in the world,” added Mammadov.