Azerbaijan slams Frank Pallone's "cheap show", anti-Azerbaijani rhetoric at COP29

The Western Azerbaijan Community issued a statement condemning Frank Pallone’s actions and growing Azerbaijanophobia in some western circles.

Thus, Azerbaijani community has strongly condemned the actions of US Congressman Pallone, who is reportedly closely linked to the Armenian lobby, for his longstanding systematic opposition to Azerbaijan and peace in the region, Caliber.Az reports.

In a statement issued following recent events, community leaders stated: “First of all, it should be noted that Pallone, who has strong ties to the Armenian lobby, has been systematically working against Azerbaijan and peace in the region for decades."

The statement highlighted Pallone’s support for Armenia’s military aggression against Azerbaijan, which has involved ethnic cleansing, genocide, mass killings, and the destruction of cultural heritage. It also accused him of inciting hatred against Azerbaijanis on ethnic and religious grounds.

“For these reasons, the Azerbaijani public, and especially those who have been victims of ethnic cleansing in Armenia, have every right to protest against the racist Pallone,” the statement read.

The controversy arose when Pallone, instead of addressing peaceful demonstrators and responding to their concerns, allegedly ordered his bodyguards to confront them. Among those present were women, who were injured in the altercation.

The statement continued: "The remarks made by Pallone after his visit clearly show that he did not come to Azerbaijan with the intention of participating in a conference or engaging in dialogue. His goal was to cast a shadow over Azerbaijan’s achievements, where representatives from all over the world had gathered."

The Azerbaijani community reiterated its commitment to dialogue and peace, contrasting this with Pallone’s actions, which they described as a form of slander and intimidation: "It is important to underline once again that the Azerbaijani state and public have always been for dialogue, while Pallone and other racist politicians prefer slander and blackmail."

The statement concluded with a condemnation of what it described as “Pallone's cheap show” and the deeply entrenched trends of Azerbaijanophobia in some Western circles. “We demand that these politicians cease obstructing peace in the region and respect the right of Azerbaijanis forcibly displaced from Armenia to return to their homeland,” it said.

Note that, Congressman Frank Pallone attended COP29 climate conference, emphasising the global importance of the event and Azerbaijan's commitment to fostering inclusive dialogue. On social media, Pallone reaffirmed his dedication to climate action, stressing the need for the United States to lead in combating the climate crisis.

Pallone, a long-time critic of Azerbaijan and an advocate for Armenian interests, has faced scrutiny for his stance. He is known for his connections to Armenian lobbying groups in the US, alongside lawmakers like Adam Schiff and Bob Menendez. Despite his political position, Pallone’s participation in COP29 highlights the conference's inclusive nature and Azerbaijan’s efforts to engage diverse viewpoints.

Prior to COP29, Pallone led 60 pro-Armenian US lawmakers in urging the US State Department to hold Azerbaijan accountable for alleged war crimes and territorial disputes with Armenia. In response, Hikmet Hajiyev, Assistant to Azerbaijan's President, criticised the letter, suggesting that the signatories may be influenced by the Armenian lobby and are using the climate summit for political campaigning, which he argued diverts attention from the core objective of addressing climate change.

Hajiyev reaffirmed Azerbaijan’s dedication to the success of COP29, aiming to work with like-minded countries to advance global climate goals. Pallone’s visit, despite his political stance, underscores the inclusive spirit of COP29 and Azerbaijan's commitment to global climate cooperation.

By Aghakazim Guliyev