"We are not interfering in France's internal affairs," President Ilham Aliyev said at the 4th Shusha Global Media Forum, APA reports.
"When Azerbaijan joined the Council of Europe, I was the first head of our country's delegation and went to Strasbourg. One of the first things we heard from the Council of Europe leadership there was that human rights could not be considered the internal affair of any country. We accepted that and learned it as good students. Now, when the Baku Initiative Group raises the issues of colonialism, colonial inequality and colonial governance, not only this organization but also the Azerbaijani government is accused of interfering in France's internal affairs. However, we are not interfering in France's internal affairs because human rights are a universal issue.
In my opinion, the Baku Initiative Group is the first and most effective non-governmental organization to bring this issue onto the international agenda. For many years, France's overseas territories – effectively its colonies – have lived under severe pressure. Illegal actions, including nuclear tests, were carried out there. How many nuclear tests were conducted in French Polynesia? One hundred, two hundred, perhaps even more. As a result, many people lost their lives or their health. Yet when the Baku Initiative Group raises these issues, it is groundlessly accused of waging 'hybrid warfare.' This is a completely unfair approach.
I believe the role of the independent media is extremely important here. For many years, the weak voices speaking about the problems in New Caledonia, Polynesia, Martinique and other territories were silenced. They were subjected to pressure and blackmail. According to the information I have received, some people who participated in international events organized by the Baku Initiative Group were even detained. They were detained not only in France but also in Switzerland. Some were even arrested. Those responsible for these actions are the same people trying to lecture the world about human rights and democracy.
You know, the boomerang is a very effective weapon. Those who wanted to attack Azerbaijan misjudged us. But this issue is broader than the activities of the Baku Initiative Group. Once again, I would like to emphasize that the role of the media is extremely important. The media must be courageous enough to stand against colonialism.
This issue is not about our relations with France. Yes, France's position on Azerbaijan's sovereignty has affected our relations to a certain extent. Decisions have been adopted in France aimed at recognizing the so-called 'Nagorno-Karabakh Republic.' Even today, the 'representative office' of that self-proclaimed entity, which no longer exists, continues to operate in France," the head of state said.
President Ilham Aliyev noted that these were not the main issue.
"This is about the fundamental principles of international relations. In the 21st century, it is unacceptable to maintain territories located 10,000 kilometers away as colonies. The people of those territories do not want you. They want to live their own lives. States much smaller than New Caledonia and other territories are independent today. They have a voice at the United Nations, their own flag and statehood. So why should those peoples not have the same right?
I believe this is a serious test for both states and civil society. If more organizations like the Baku Initiative Group emerged around the world, they could unite and take a stronger position on these issues. Such a coalition could work more effectively to stop this pressure.
This is not only about New Caledonia. There are similar examples even within Europe itself. Look at Corsica. The people of this region, located in the heart of Europe, want to live their own lives, preserve their language and have their national identity respected. They do not seek to seize French territory. They simply want to live with dignity on their ancestral land without outside rule.
We are particularly sensitive to this issue because we ourselves experienced colonial rule. We became a colony in the 19th century. Later, although we were formally a republic within the Soviet Union, we were not independent. Therefore, we know very well what colonialism is and we know the value of freedom.
For example, there is a difference like night and day between Azerbaijan in the 19th and 20th centuries and Azerbaijan today. At that time, only our resources were taken away. Not a billion barrels, but a billion tonnes of oil were extracted from Azerbaijan. When the Soviet Union collapsed, our country did not even have reliable supplies of natural gas or electricity. To this day, we are spending billions to clean up areas around Baku polluted by oil production.
Over the past more than 30 years, Azerbaijan, as has been noted, has become a middle power. This is the advantage that independence has given us."
According to President Ilham Aliyev, when the Soviet Union collapsed, many analysts in Russia said those republics would not be able to survive without the center and would collapse.
"But what happened? They all survived. Some are more prosperous, others have developed more slowly. But none of them disappeared. That is why we support independence. We want New Caledonia, Polynesia, Martinique and Saint Martin to become free.
I would once again emphasize that this has nothing to do with our relations with France. Sometimes this issue is presented incorrectly and used against Azerbaijan. I hope my messages will also be properly understood in Paris, because we are currently in the process of normalizing relations with France. They criticize us, and we criticize them. This is normal. It is not an attack. It is part of normal working relations between two sovereign states. Neither is superior to the other, and neither can dictate to the other what to do. But expressing one's position, voicing concerns and offering criticism is entirely normal."
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