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The law criminalizing genocide denial adopted by the French Senate puts an end to Paris’ mediation in the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, said chair of the unified Azerbaijan Popular Front Party (AXCP) Gudrat Hasanguliyev.
In his opinion, Baku has to make an immediate decision to remove France as one of the co-chair countries in the OSCE Minsk Group. The MP also pointed out that adoption of this law will impact relations between not only France and Turkey but also France and Azerbaijan.
This matter, according to Hasanguliyev, will be discussed at the Feb. 1 meeting of Azerbaijan’s parliament. “In addition, we must rethink our relations with France,” he added.
Opposition Party of Hope (Ümid) leader Iqbal Aghazadeh is of a different opinion. According to him, as long as relations between France and Turkey do not improve, the doors to the European Union will be closed to Turkey. “And to expect any progress on this issue after the deterioration of relations would be absurd. I believe that Turkey is making some mistakes in this direction. Ankara gives other nations a chance to put pressure on Turkey through such policies. In my opinion, in such matters, Turkey should demonstrate a more tolerant and indifferent attitude.”
Aghazadeh noted that the French decision shouldn’t play such an important role in Turkey’s foreign policy. “Unfortunately, in this respect, Turkey has taken a very radical position and treated it as a matter of life and death. I think this process will continue in other European countries. At the very least it will be discussed, which, in turn, will be an instrument of pressure on Turkey.”
With regard to Azerbaijan’s position on this issue, according to the opposition MP, it should “stand beside its brother country”.
“But you shouldn’t present yourself as more Catholic than the Pope. That would be the wrong approach. Azerbaijan doesn’t have the influence in the region and the world on political processes as Turkey. At the same time, we must show the world that in all matters we support Turkey,” he said.
Reports compiled from Vesti.az.