Belgian PM: EU must respect Azerbaijan as partner

Azerbaijan deserves special attention from the EU as an island of stability in a region under pressure, former Belgian Prime Minister Yves Leterme said during a panel discussion at the Baku Global Forum.

He noted that under the leadership of President Ilham Aliyev, the country has significant opportunities for economic development, Caliber.Az reports via local media.

“Azerbaijan has achieved impressive progress over the past 15–20 years. We must understand that Azerbaijan’s attention must be earned. We are obliged to respect Azerbaijan as a partner with whom dialogue is necessary,” Leterme said.

He emphasised that the EU should respect Azerbaijan as a partner for meaningful dialogue.

“For example, when we adopt resolutions interfering in the internal affairs of a country like Azerbaijan, we must understand that this closes the door for future negotiations,” Leterme said.

He added that following such interventions, it is counterproductive to try to establish new energy supply agreements.

“For years, on one hand, we lecture Azerbaijan on how to handle its internal affairs, and the next day we come and ask: ‘Could you sell us more gas?’ This is typical European behaviour, which does not work in a world where interests matter more than values,” the former Belgian prime minister stressed.

By Khagan Isayev