Ilham Aliyev: We do not need integration in Europe (UPDATED)

At the meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers, dedicated to the issues of the economy, Ilham Aliyev decided to talk about the global crisis and the situation in the Middle East, the problems of migrants in Europe, the Europeans callousness towards refugees.  He began his speech just  with reminding that all these crises have affected oil-producing countries. Then he remembered again that Azerbaijan goes  its own way, and does not listen to anyone. "Therefore, we have stability and development," said Aliyev, and condemned calls  to European integration.

"Which Europe should we integrate?  The crisis-ridden Europe, where Muslims are banned? Just because we ask these   questions we are  under pressure and  condemned," he said, but then added that Azerbaijan closely cooperates with the European Union. According to him, the European Commission is now discussing proposals to Baku on cooperation between the EU and Azerbaijan format.

He further said that "active work" with the Council of Europe has given the result, and the situation there has changed. "We are ready to cooperation, but not integration. Let those who call for integration, forget about it," said Aliyev.

"That is against this background that Azerbaijan is developing successfully," Aliyev said further, and named as an example  the Humanitarian Forum, the competition "Formula 1", the Chess Olympiad, the Pope's visit.

Then he touched a referendum on changes to the Constitution, which  was “appreciated” by the PACE  mission,  which called on the  developed countries to "learn Democracy" in Azerbaijan.  Then he recalled the support of Azerbaijan by the Organization of Islamic Cooperation and the European Parliament. In particular, he recalled "a very fair position" of the European Parliament on the Karabakh conflict, expressed in an official statement.

However, prior to this, the European Parliament acted "incorrectly", but recently they have come to normalize relations. "They understood that the pressure did not  work, and we have demonstrated a constructive position,"  said Aliyev. -02D-

2016 October 07 (Friday) 12:06:40

Ilham Aliyev presides over a Cabinet meeting that began on Friday on the results of economic development for the 9 months of this year.

The President, the Ministers of Health and Education, and the head of the State Committee for Refugees spoke at the meeting.

A detailed official report about the event has not yet been published.   -16D-