Welcome to Baku, Azerbaijan! In a recent statement, President Ilham Aliyev criticized the behavior of European observer missions, denouncing what he referred to as “binocular diplomacy.” The President expressed his disapproval while receiving the credentials of the new Ambassador of the Kingdom of Belgium, Julien de Fraipont.
President Aliyev highlighted a specific incident regarding the EU-Azerbaijan relations, where the European observation mission was extended without prior consultation or agreement with Azerbaijan. This unilateral decision led to increased mistrust between the parties. Azerbaijan had initially agreed to a limited mission with retired military officers, but the mission’s unauthorized extension raised concerns.
The President condemned the behavior of the “binocular diplomacy” members, emphasizing that such actions go against the principles of normal political conduct. Azerbaijan intends to address these issues in its future dialogues with the EU, reaffirming its commitment to upholding diplomatic standards.