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Biased statements of Russian politicians harm relations with Azerbaijan - COMMENT

21 July 2023 11:45 (UTC +04:00)

Russian State Duma’s vice-speaker Peter Tolstoy from “United Russia” party have made his next scandalous statement about Azerbaijan-Russia relations and processes that happened in Karabakh. He stated that Azerbaijan, like the other post-soviet republics, is in Russia’s geopolitical vector and that this is due to politic, economic, geographic and historic factors.

He stated that these countries, including Azerbaijan cannot exist without Russia. As it is seen, these statements from an official with a high enough rank is completely opposite with the spirit of the relation between two countries. In this exact context, Peter Tolstoy’s statement is not comprehensive and it casts a shadow on the relations between Russia and Azerbaijan. The Russian politician should not forget that Azerbaijan has ancient and rich statehood history, traditions, cultural heritage and prominent figures. These statehood traditions existed way before Russia’s arrival to South Caucasus and continued despite the occupation of our territories by Tsarist troops in early 19th century. It is these traditions and prominent figures that contributed to the establishment of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic in 1918.

Everyone should know that Azerbaijan is an independent state and implements an independent policy. Azerbaijan has strengthened its independence during 32 years of independence and is not dependent on anybody, including Russia. currently Azerbaijan is one of the prominent members of international relations system. Azerbaijan hosts projects that are important regionally and globally and gains great successes. Thanks to this policy, which is calculated on a balanced and long-term perspective, our country has continuous development and stable socio-political structure.

It is a shame that the number of people like Konstantin Zatulin, Vitaly Milonov that cast a shadow on relations with Azerbaijan in Russia is growing and this situation and the Russian State Duma’s member Peter Tolstoy’s statement harms the interstate relations. The harmful statements harm friendly neighbor policy and creates unnecessary tension. But the anti-Azerbaijan climate is growing in not only from different politicians in Russia, but also in Russian media recently as well, sharp attacks on our country is evident. These statements, which are being operated from one center, has a planned and continuous nature. The Russian Foreign Ministry’s latest statements show that this line is not coincidental.

It is clear to everyone where and for which reason these accusations and claims emerge. Everyone should know that Azerbaijan should and is regulation the processes in its own territory according to state legislation. All issues, including integration of Armenians in Karabakh to Azerbaijani community should be evaluated in this context. This is a necessary process and the attempts at hindering this process are doomed to failure. All attempts from any side to hinder this process will result in failure and there is no doubt for it. Therefore, authors and perpetuators of these attacks to our country should understand that influencing Azerbaijan and turning it from its path is not possible.