A number of MEPs went further and called for the EU to more than double its natural gas purchase agreement with Azerbaijan. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen signed an agreement to help Europe divest from Russian energy in 2022.
The agreement fuels human rights abuses and allows Russia to launder fossil fuels through Azerbaijan, centrist French lawmaker Nathalie Loiseau has argued.
“We are actually buying Putin’s gas and oil,” said Rep. Renew. Loiseau’s claims are similar to the charges against jailed activist Ibadoglu.
In a fiery response Wednesday, Azerbaijan’s foreign policy chief, Hikmet Hajiyev, said both the council and parliament were influenced by Azerbaijan’s long-term rival, Armenia.
“Some of the discussions taking place in the European Parliament are reminiscent of a theater of the absurd or a circus,” he said in a statement to POLITICO. “The world has witnessed shameful acts of corruption in this institution. Many of those who speak loudly against our country are part of the Armenian lobby and the Armenian government’s public relations and lobbying campaigns.” – This is a claim he made without evidence.
Hajiyev, a top adviser to Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, added: “I would also like to advise the EU human rights commissioner to seriously address the growing human rights problems in the European Union instead of preaching to others.” “Demands to release Armenian war criminals who killed innocent Azerbaijani civilians are like releasing Nazi war criminals.”
Non-governmental organizations urged Western leaders to use COP29 to highlight recent crackdowns on journalists, activists and opposition figures in Azerbaijan. A Human Rights Watch report earlier this month found that “increasing numbers of civil society activists have left the country since November 2023, further reducing the diversity of organizations and activists advocating for human rights and challenging governments.” “There is,” he warned.