The West weakens support for European integration ideas in Azerbaijan

On the background of aggressive policy of the Azerbaijani authorities against civil society institutions and the suppression of democracy,  the position of Western states is passive. As a result, frustration with European values  is growing in Azerbaijan, instead of which there are ideas contrary to the principles of democracy, said Ramin Hajily, president of the European Movement of Azerbaijan (EMA) at the press conference. According to him, the Western diplomatic missions in recent years have weakened the support of civil society.

EMA conducted monitoring  of the activity of  37 embassies and eight international organizations that proclaim its values ​​of democracy in three ways.

Monitoring of the websites of  diplomatic missions showed that half of them do not indicate or incorrectly specify their contacts.  letters to their e-mail return or they were not responsible. It is impossible to get information  on their telephone numbers. Many embassies have no contacts in social networks.

"Because of diplomatic missions  are located in various business centers and other protected sites, citizens can not visit them. The absence of contact makes it impossible to communicate with embassies," said Hajily.

The most successful with regard to information provision  is the German embassy. EMA awarded it a special award.

More or less favorable situation in the embassies of the USA, France, UK, Poland, Greece, Bulgaria and Moldova.

During the monitoring  was made a survey of  civil society institutions, who also noted the passivity of the embassies in promoting democratic values. 

The third area of ​​monitoring  was the participation of the concerned embassies in the spread of democratic ideas.

"Recently,  there was screening of the movie  with participation of the head of one of the embassies, ​​ and it was attended by only 11 people. At the same time, a student organization attracted 70 people to similar event," said Hajily.

He stressed that the decline in the public interest to European values ​​can promote the growth of pro-Iranian and pro-Russian mood. He particularly criticized the Council of Europe office in Baku.

 "It has been a year in Baku  that there is not a head of the Council of Europe. Former representative said that  he was a temporary person. When CE stands idle, it gives the  opportunity to the activities of the Iranian Cultural Centre," said Hajily.

Therefore, in the last decade  Azerbaijani society’s confidence in the West  has lessened, and  at the same time there is a  growing interest in Islam.

EMA expands its activities to disseminate the ideas of democracy and European integration. The organization has offices in 14 regions of the country.

EMA is also preparing for the Europe Day, celebrated on May 9, when a sports marathon will be held.

A set of activities is prepared in connection with European Olympic Games to be held in Azerbaijan in 2015. 

Aygul Cafarova, a new General Secretary  of EMA was introduced at the press conference. She got her higher education in Germany.

EMA is part of the International European Movement, founded in 1948 by Winston Churchill and other leaders to promote democratic values. One of the achievements of the Movement was the creation in 1949 of the Council of Europe.–06С—