Georgian factor, Western agents in Azerbaijan
EU’s lure vs good neighbourly ties

ANALYTICS  11 March 2024 - 17:10

Almost immediately after Azerbaijan gained state independence, the Western countries and various organisations and foundations operating under the special services expressed a great interest in Azerbaijan.  

They suddenly began to generously finance both the opposition and numerous non-governmental organisations (NGOs) under the guise of “supporting democratic development”.

Of course, the matter does not rest in democracy, altruism and good intentions. These concepts are not used in the modern world. The goal of financial donors was obvious to influence both the processes in Azerbaijan and the Azerbaijani authorities through the bribed parties and organisations to make them more flexible in any issue, that is, to promote the desired political (or economic) agenda.

Over the years, Azerbaijan has become stronger, and accordingly, Baku powerfully foils attempts made by Western funds and countries to influence its policy. After bringing domestic legislation in the field of NGOs in line with international standards, their activity was strictly regulated. Western and pro-Iranian groups in the country were practically destroyed.

All cash tranches from abroad allocated as part of grant agreements are now subject to strict reporting. Baku’s policy in this sphere is easily explained by the desire to prevent moments when foreign donors of domestic NGOs and some media outlets began to interfere in Azerbaijan’s internal affairs or even plan social upheavals and “colour revolutions” in the country.

However, it is impossible to completely prevent illegal funding of NGOs and media outlets from abroad as over and over again Western centres and intelligence agencies resort to new methods and schemes. This is more important now, when rabid anti-Azerbaijani propaganda is observed in the West. It is extremely important for its puppeteers to look for something in Azerbaijan that is obviously impossible to find, exaggerate it and bring it to the international level. Unfortunately, proceeding from the practice, friendly, neighbouring countries are also included in anti-Azerbaijani activity. The heads and employees of Azerbaijan's Abzas Media and Toplum TV news websites can be mentioned as an example.

Thus, the investigative bodies inspected Abzas Media and Toplum TV offices and revealed that the Western groups in Azerbaijan was illegally financed through Georgia, the informed sources told Caliber.Az.

It seems that Western organisations having a foothold in Georgia are using the country as a springboard to destabilise the situation in neighbouring countries. Various Western funds and institutions, Soros agents, operate freely in Georgia and take advantage of the capabilities of this country’s financial institutions, such as banks. The Georgian intelligence services and financial monitoring bodies are aware of this. After Georgia became a candidate for the EU membership, this activity expanded even more and became aggressive.

As for the money transfer mechanism, funds are transferred to Georgian banks, cashed there and forwarded to Azerbaijan. In fact, such a scenario was once implemented through journalist Afghan Mukhtarli. Moreover, anonymous bank cards are widely used. This gives grounds to say that the planned events are illegal. The method of transferring certain tasks from employee to employee is also used, which was once widely used by such terrorist organisations as Al-Qaeda and ISIS.

The Georgian special services turn a blind eye to the involvement of Azerbaijani citizens, Georgian Azerbaijanis in adventures, the establishment of public organisations on their behalf, the financing of these organisations and their activity against Azerbaijan. Toplum TV co-founder Akif Gurbanov is from Georgia and often visits this country. Of course, he meets there with his Western supervisors, receives instructions, the necessary funds and benefits. Don’t the Georgian corresponding bodies see this?

The network that the West has been building for many years has been destroyed in Azerbaijan. A powerful blow has been dealt to the activity that was directed against Azerbaijan’s independence, its independent policy, its historical victory and territorial integrity. The plans to turn Azerbaijan into Syria or Libya have failed. Of course, the West will try to prevent this vector of developments, but our closest neighbour and partner – Georgia must not take part in this.

Why has such freedom of action been created in Georgia against Azerbaijan? It is obvious that the West is putting pressure on Georgia to turn a blind eye to such an activity and even create conditions for it. Besides the US, the role of the EU in this issue is also undeniable. However, the Georgian authorities must also know that Azerbaijan is as important for Tbilisi as the EU. Taking into account the above-mentioned points, the Georgian authorities and the special services must prevent Western provocations against Azerbaijan and must not take part in this dirty game. In the end, we are neighbours and strategic partners, and a close neighbour is better than a distant relative. It is unknown yet whether it will be relative for Georgia.

Caliber.Az