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Has anything changed in the relations between Azerbaijan and the West?
Recent developments hint at a nuanced shift in the dynamics between Azerbaijan and the Western world, characterized by a tempered tone in criticism and burgeoning diplomatic engagements. Yet, against this backdrop of diplomatic overtures, the persistence of arrests targeting civil society representatives and looming sanctions from the United States underscore the complexities that underpin Azerbaijan's relationship with the West.
Notable instances signaling a thaw include discussions on the return of the Azerbaijani delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), highlighted by the statement of Dominique Hasler, Chairman-in-Office of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe and Foreign Minister of Liechtenstein. Moreover, meetings between President of Azerbaijan and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, telephone conversations with US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken, and the resumption of diplomatic activities by French Ambassador Anne Boillon have injected optimism into bilateral relations.
However, juxtaposed against these diplomatic strides are the continued arrests of civil society figures in Azerbaijan, casting a shadow over the purported positive changes in relations. Moreover, the threat of sanctions from American lawmakers targeting high-ranking Azerbaijani officials and punitive measures imposed by the United States against Azerbaijani companies for alleged assistance to Russia present additional challenges.
Political scientist Ahmed Alili analyzes this current situation in the program "Difficult Question", asserting that understanding the West's stance towards Azerbaijan is a complex endeavor, marked by ambiguity and fluctuation. Alili highlights the lukewarm response from the United States and the European Union to the withdrawal of the Russian peacekeeping contingent from Karabakh, suggesting a lack of clarity on the part of Western stakeholders.
Despite these challenges, Alili underscores Azerbaijan's substantial contributions to the EU, particularly in economic and geopolitical realms. The country's strides towards NATO standards in its Armed Forces, coupled with investments in energy security and transport infrastructure, position Azerbaijan as a key player in regional stability and energy diversification efforts.
However, deep-seated contradictions persist, with Azerbaijan diverging from the integration projects envisioned by the United States and Europe. Alili emphasizes Baku's stance against preconditions for integration, advocating for a holistic approach that prioritizes sovereignty and national interests.
"Azerbaijan has always been against integration projects in the interpretation desired by the United States and Europe, i.e. the implementation of political reforms first, and then consideration of the issue of integration," Alili said.
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- Finance
- 2 May 2024 19:40
Difficult question
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Sentyabrın 1-nə təyin olunmuş növbədənkənar parlament seçkilərində iştirak etmək üçün imzatoplama kampaniyası hazırda davam edir. Hazırda mindən çox şəxsin namizəd olmaq üçün müraciət etdiyi bildirilir.
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Lately, we often hear shocking crime news that is linked to a rise in aggression. A few days ago, in the Khazar district of Baku, a father, after stabbing his two sons, killed one of them. The incident took place in the Binagadi settlement. Rza Eyubov, born in 1974, first inflicted multiple stab wounds on his son Ali Eyubov, born in 2014. The 10-year-old Ali died on the spot. Following this, the father stabbed his 4-year-old son Teymur Eyubov several times and then committed suicide.
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By the end of the year, it is planned to transition schools to a per capita funding system. According to the Minister of Science and Education, Emin Amrullayev, this will be implemented as a pilot project in several schools. "If the test is successful, it will pave the way for further development. This will create a good foundation for school autonomy and teacher-led management," he said.
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Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan refused to meet with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev in the UK. This was reported to the Report by the assistant to the President of Azerbaijan, Head of the Foreign Policy Department of the Presidential Administration Hikmet Hajiyev.
1 comment
Elvis
2024-05-04
Надо перестать вести себя по отношению к Западу как преданный пес, ожидающий похвалы от хозяина за своё послушание. Лучше надо брать пример с Китая который под мудрым руководстом партии уже догнал и перегнал США. А дряхлые лидеры Америки больше напоминают напоминают претарелых лидеров СССР в его последние годы.