How will Azerbaijan now cooperate with Russia recognized by PACE as a terrorist country?

Baku/14.10.22/Turan: The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) approved a resolution declaring the Russian regime "terrorist"; 99 PACE deputies voted in support of the resolution, one abstained.

Amendments have been made to the draft resolution, proposing to “declare the Russian Federation a terrorist regime.” During the voting, 79 deputies supported the amendment, two voted against, one abstained.

The final document is published on the PACE website. In another amendment adopted to the resolution, political parties in Russia that previously voted for "illegal decisions infringing on the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine and other countries" are accused of "complicity in terrorism."

The resolution is called "Intensifying the aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine." With this resolution, PACE asks the member states of the Council of Europe not to recognize the referendums held in the Donbass, Zaporozhye and Kherson regions, to support funding for the restoration of Ukraine, and to create a special international war crimes tribunal.

In addition, the document states that Russia's actions "violate international law and are incompatible with the obligations of a nuclear power that is a permanent member of the UN Security Council."

How can Azerbaijan now cooperate with Russia, which is recognized by PACE as a terrorist power and at the same time is a strategic ally?

Political observer Zardusht Alizade talks about this and other questions in the “Difficult Question” program.

According to him, in politics, and especially in foreign policy, it is necessary to take into account interests.

“Azerbaijan is a small country and does not have opportunities for global politics. Therefore, it must pursue its foreign policy, corresponding to its political, economic, geopolitical interests,” the expert noted.

In his opinion, since the PACE resolution does not take into account these interests of Azerbaijan, it can be accepted as a kind of moral guideline, but the PACE resolution cannot play a role in shaping our foreign policy.

“We must, based on our capabilities, existing position, current state, build relations with Russia in such a way as to ensure our state interests. And they demand that we maintain normal, good neighborly relations with Russia. We are not able to “teach” Russia,” and we are not obliged to do so,” Alizade stressed.