After gaining independence, we thought Europe, which is a civilized part of the world, would contribute to the solution of our problems and maintain justice. But as timed passed by, we came to realize it’s not so. We lost our hopes in some sense.

Novruz Mammadov, Head of the Presidential Administration and Director of the Foreign Relations Department at the Administration, made the remarks Wednesday during the panel discussion on the “European Union and Neighborhood Policy” held as part of the 3rd Global Forum in Baku.

N. Mammadov noted that Azerbaijan can be considered a post-Soviet country capable of successfully cooperating with the West.

“But the Nagorno-Karabakh problem emerged as a result of the occupation of some 20 percent territory of Azerbaijan. And up until now, no concrete step in keeping with international law has yet been taken in this regard in the world. The settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict has been entrusted to a monopoly named the OSCE Minsk Group. But everyone understands that the OSCE Minsk Group does not have the capacity to resolve this problem,” he stressed.

According to Mammadov, Azerbaijan is a new secular state which is also part of the Muslim world.

“In this respect, we can be an example to the West. Nonetheless, it’s not that easy in the present situation in our complex geo-political location. But Azerbaijan’s leadership does everything for that. Of course, we’re not free from errors. But you see what is happening in Baltimore today. That means not everything is good there, either. Faults can be found everywhere. But it’s not right to approach them this way. Right now, we have the following impression; there are attempts to keep us under some pressure every day. These attempts are being contributed to by NGOs and the media, too, with financial support provided to them. But why does it have to be so? We may have some problems. But if Europe and the West demonstrate a sincere attitude toward Azerbaijan, then why is that they do not remind of international law with regard to the occupation our lands a single time? Injustice is the world’s biggest problem today. There’s no justice today. Had you seen the large-scale attacks on us when we had become the winner of the Eurovision Song Contest, you would be stunned. The first European Games are approaching. Although it’s not something achieved on our order and instead the International Olympic Committee itself had decided the Games to be held in Azerbaijan, a massive pressure mechanism has been launched against us. We could hardly imagine it,” the PA official noted.

Mammadov said Azerbaijan, having been successfully cooperating with the West over its 24-year-old independence, has asked for just one thing only, “to help us fairly settle the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. But we didn’t see it”.

He noted that the holding of the European Games in Azerbaijan is some kind of support to Europe.

“But our trust in Europe, the West, and their sincerity is depleting. What we see is that they are trying to turn Azerbaijan into a country similar to Libya and Syria. But it will be impossible. The mentality and life experience of the Azerbaijani people is high enough. We have already gotten over this kind of tests,” the PA official stressed.

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