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Azerbaijanâ€™s ruling party: France has betrayed the mediation mission within the Minsk Group â€“ INTERVIEW

Azerbaijanâ€™s ruling party: France has betrayed the mediation mission within the Minsk Group â€“ <font color=red>INTERVIEW</font>

24 January 2012 10:33 (UTC +04:00)

Baku. Parvin Abbasov â€“ APA. Deputy Chairman â€“ Executive Secretary of the New Azerbaijan Party Ali Ahmadovâ€™s interview to APA.

- The French Senate voted for the bill on criminalizing the made-up â€œArmenian genocideâ€. How is your attitude to it?

- I donâ€™t believe that anybody regards as positive the adoption of such an absurd and irresponsible decision except its voters and Armenians. By passing the bill criminalizing denial of made-up â€œArmenian genocideâ€, the French Parliament put hard-to-clean black spots in its modern history. The abovementioned bill is not only against Turkey, maybe it mainly targets at the human rights and freedom of thought. It is ridiculous to accuse a person for believing and disbelieving something. The demonstration of such an approach in France is twice ridiculous. It is impossible to make anyone change his belief. Once, people were executed, because they didnâ€™t believe in God. Bolsheviks punished those who believed in God. Neither inquisitorial court increased the number of believers in God nor did Bolshevik pursuits increased the number of atheists. The modern people donâ€™t accept such things. Evidently, France doesnâ€™t understand that it sacrificed the European values, which it wanted to suggest to others, and consequently, it caused great damage to these values. I can unambiguously say that the trust in the sincerity of France will be seriously decreased.

- How should Azerbaijan react?

- Any step against Turkey is also against Azerbaijan either directly, or indirectly. The bill passed in France on the co-called Armenian genocide affects the interests of Azerbaijan. The passage of such an absurd and groundless bill means that France openly introduces itself as the defender of Armenia. Actually, the French leaders have recently acted as Armenian lobbyists. This is proved by the fact that during his visit to the South Caucasus some months ago French President Sarkozy called Armenia the sister of France and then recommended the European Union to adopt the absurd law initiated by him. It should not be forgotten that France must have neutral position as the co-chair of the Minsk on the resolution of Nagorno Karabakh conflict. But it fails or does not want to do it. Franceâ€™s behavior as the lobbyist of Armeniaâ€™s interests means betrayal of his mediation mission. As Mevlana says: â€œSeem as you are or be as you seem.â€ Unfortunately, France undertaking the important mediation mission can not be as it looks or can not look as it is. In this case, it will be the most dignified way for France if it leaves the mediation mission not shaming itself, because France lost its moral right to fulfill this mission. Azerbaijan almost doesnâ€™t trust in Minsk Group. The known actions by France nullified the trust in this group which is losing confidence even without that. What can the citizens of Azerbaijan expect from the pro-Armenian co-chair?! I consider that Azerbaijani-Turkish brotherhood is our great wealth and it should be absolutely protected. This brotherhood successfully overcame many difficulties. There are many forces trying to break the friendship between Azerbaijan and Turkey. Such efforts are directed against both countries. We are stronger and magnificent together. Azerbaijan and Turkey should be always together. Azerbaijan both officially and through the civil society protested the Franceâ€™s efforts of criminalization of the denial of â€œArmenian genocideâ€ many times. Of course, the current situation will create significant coldness in the attitude of Azerbaijani society toward France.

Regarding the Franceâ€™s activity within the Minsk Group, I think the criticism on this issue will rise to the level of withdrawal of France from this group.

- Does France love Armenians so much indeed?

- I donâ€™t think that the French parliamentâ€™s efforts to criminalize the denial of the â€œArmenian genocideâ€ are exceptionally sourced from the love. Geopolitical factors should not be forgotten. Turkey is developing rapidly, it has already become a serious regional power. Increase of Turkeyâ€™s influence and role in the Middle East and north of Africa is obvious. For most countries of that region Turkey serves as an example in terms of democratic and economic model. France is losing this role. The project realized in Libya at the cost of great bloods almost failed. On the other hand, Azerbaijan is also developing rapidly, its role in the region is increasing. In this respect, not only Turkeyâ€™s, but also Azerbaijanâ€™s interests are targeted at.