No:392/24, Commentary by Aykhan Hajizada, Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, on the claims of Peter Stano, Spokesperson of the European Union (EU) for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy
27 September 2024 23:54
The views voiced by Peter Stano, Spokesperson of the European Union (EU) for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, in response to the question of Armenia’s “Armenpress” news agency regarding the mandate of the European Union Mission in Armenia and the militarization of Armenia are completely groundless and unacceptable.
We categorically reject the EU official’s wrong and openly biased interpretation of the remarks of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan.
The views that the mandate of the mission, established with the consent of Azerbaijan, was expanded without any basis, and that it allegedly has a role in supporting peace in the region and the normalization process between Azerbaijan and Armenia, show how this mission is being abused.
This mission, which is actively exploited as an anti-Azerbaijan propaganda tool, cannot have any role in the normalization process conducted by Azerbaijan with Armenia.
Despite various promises since the day the EU mission was established, the mission has not taken into account Azerbaijan’s legitimate interests, and the activities of the mission have not ensured mutual trust and confidence.
It is known to everyone that the Head of the EU Mission, on numerous occasions, based on the false and slanderous claims of the Armenian side, voiced views that Azerbaijan was allegedly preparing for any attack, and that the main task of the EU Mission was presented as “protecting Armenia from Azerbaijan”, thereby damaging the normalization process. In this environment, the Armenian side is abusing the presence of the EU Mission.
Along with this, the campaign aimed at militarizing Armenia, which is known throughout the world for its policy of occupation and nearly 30 years of military aggression against Azerbaijan, and which also includes new promises regarding larger military supplies, including lethal and offensive types of weapons, is a threat to Azerbaijan’s national security. The justification of this process by the Spokesperson of the European Union is a source of concern.
The failure to put an end to Armenia’s policy of mass militarization, including the acquisition of strategic offensive weapons, while it does not abandon territorial claims against its neighbors, can be assessed as efforts to create another tension in the region.
Azerbaijan is a supporter of lasting peace, stability and security in the region on the basis of the basic norms and principles of international law. It is necessary to decisively prevent steps that pose a threat to peace.
