Azerbaijani presidential aide responds to Josep Borrell's criticism of COP29

Azerbaijani presidential aide Hikmet Hajiyev has issued a strong response to European Union Foreign Policy Chief Josep Borrell's comments regarding the COP29 summit.

The remarks come amid growing tension between Azerbaijan and certain EU member states over their stance on the climate conference, Caliber.Az reports.

In a post on his official X (formerly Twitter) account, Hajiyev criticized Borrell's recent statements, particularly his illustration of the European Union as a “garden” and the rest of the world as a “jungle.” According to Hajiyev, such a depiction was reminiscent of a “colonial era narrative of ‘we and barbarians’.”

@JosepBorrellF 1. Your illustration of the European Union as a “garden” and the rest of the world as a “jungle”is the most regrettable. This statement reminds nothing other than the the colonial era narrative of “we and barbarians”.

2. Small island developing states suffer… https://t.co/2mpltWXmqK

— Hikmet Hajiyev (@HikmetHajiyev) November 14, 2024

“Your illustration of the European Union as a ‘garden’ and the rest of the world as a ‘jungle’ is the most regrettable. This statement reminds nothing other than the colonial era narrative of ‘we and barbarians,’” Hajiyev wrote.

He also addressed concerns over the participation of overseas regions from EU member states in climate change discussions. Hajiyev pointed out that these regions, which suffer disproportionately from climate change, have often been excluded from meaningful discourse due to their lack of self-governance. He emphasized Azerbaijan's commitment to inclusivity at COP29, where every voice, including those from small island developing states, would be heard.

“Small island developing states suffer the most from climate change, as do the overseas regions of EU member states. However, overseas regions which are deprived of self-governance, couldn’t voice their concerns and they have been ignored. At COP29, Azerbaijan in an inclusive manner provides a platform for every voice to be heard. Being an EU MS doesn’t give any privilege to anyone to maintain neo/colonial rule and reject the concept of decolonization,” Hajiyev stated. “Considering that some EU MS used to practice notorious colonial rule and shameful slave trade.”

Hajiyev also condemned attempts by the EU’s External Action Service (EAAS) to discourage participation at COP29. Despite these efforts, the summit has garnered widespread international support, with over 80 heads of state and government attending and more than 70,000 participants registered.

“Azerbaijan, as a host of COP29, is commended by the wider international community. But it is utterly unacceptable that EU EAAS sent instructions to EU MS not to attend COP29. In the same vein, some EU MS also used their diplomatic network to discourage other countries from attending COP29. By doing that you have tried to undermine the credibility of the COP process. But all of these attempts have failed,” Hajiyev said. “80+ heads of state and government attended COP. 70,000+ participants are registered. Just wanted to remind that the COP process belongs to the UN and world.”

Hajiyev reaffirmed Azerbaijan's commitment to inclusivity and its ongoing efforts to work constructively with all parties to deliver on global climate action goals.

On November 13, during the Leaders’ Summit of the Small Island Developing States on Climate Change, which took place in Baku as part of COP29, President Ilham Aliyev raised the issue of neo-colonialism and climate change. He pointed to the struggles of French and Dutch overseas territories, particularly in the Caribbean and Pacific, which are severely impacted by climate change.

"The peoples of French colonies such as New Caledonia, French Polynesia, Mayotte, Wallis and Futuna, Corsica, Réunion, Guadeloupe, Martinique, French Guiana, Saint Pierre and Miquelon, Saint-Martin, Saint Barthélemy, and colonies of the Netherlands such as Aruba, Curaçao, Sint Maarten, Bonaire, Sint Eustatius, and Saba. Let’s applaud the people of these territories. They are still suffering today - in the 21st century - from colonial rule," Aliyev said.

The Azerbaijani president also highlighted that French Polynesia and New Caledonia have been recognized as non-self-governing territories by the United Nations since the mid-20th century, but their decolonization process remains delayed.

"French Polynesia and New Caledonia have been recognized as non-self-governing territories by the United Nations since 1946-1947. However, their decolonization process is still delayed," President Aliyev stated.

In response, Josep Borrell denounced President Ilham Aliyev's criticisms, calling them “most regrettable” and claiming they risked “undermining the conference’s vital climate objectives.” Borrell also reiterated the EU’s support for France and the Netherlands in the face of Azerbaijan’s criticism. He added that the EU and its member states are the largest contributors to global climate finance.

“President Aliyev’s allegations on the EU, France & the Netherlands are most regrettable. These unacceptable statements risk undermining the conference’s vital climate objectives and the credibility of Azerbaijan’s COP29 presidency. We stand with France & the Netherlands,” Borrell stated on X.