He went on to list examples of how the French and Dutch administrations had led to ‘environmental degradation’, such as French nuclear testing in territories he called ‘colonies’ and French Polynesia and Algeria.
Aliyev then spoke at length about the violent unrest in New Caledonia this year, which he blamed on President Emmanuel Macron’s “regime.”
France has accused Azerbaijan of interfering in the internal affairs of New Caledonia, among others. For example, Azerbaijan established the Baku Initiative Group, which unites 14 political movements across the former French empire in the name of decolonization, and engages with local politicians demanding autonomy or independence for French overseas territories. has been built.
He also attacked the continent’s human rights watchdogs, the Council of Europe and the European Parliament, for failing to condemn France’s handling of the situation.
“The European Parliament and the Council of Europe have become symbols of political corruption and share responsibility with the Macron government for the murder of innocent people,” Aliyev said.
Aliyev’s remarks Wednesday, which drew rapturous applause from island summit attendees, came a day after he delivered an opening speech at COP29 to attack the West’s “hypocrisy.”
French Prime Minister Emmanuel Macron and Dutch Prime Minister Dick Scoop will not attend COP29. The foreign ministries of both countries did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Victor Goury-Laffont contributed to this report.
