Western Azerbaijan Community calls congressional letter on COP29 hosting “unacceptable”

On October 3, a group of US Congressmen addressed a letter to Secretary of State Antony Blinken, expressing what has been described as an "unacceptable position" regarding Azerbaijan.

The statement issued by the Western Azerbaijan Community highlighted the controversial nature of the letter amidst Azerbaijan's hosting of the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP29), Caliber.Az reports.

The Community asserted, “The Congressmen, taking advantage of Azerbaijan hosting COP29, are attempting to push the Armenian agenda and raise issues that could reignite conflict in the region. This includes matters that contradict international law, such as the release of those responsible for war crimes. This is blatant blackmail.”

They further emphasised, “Firstly, Azerbaijan's hosting of COP29 is a significant contribution to addressing global challenges. Secondly, the decision to hold the event in Azerbaijan was unanimously supported by the parties to the convention.

The attempts by the Congressmen to use COP29 as a tool for blackmail are not only directed against Azerbaijan but against peace itself and the international efforts to combat the effects of climate change.”

The letter’s authors, according to the statement, exhibit “such intense hatred towards Azerbaijan that they do not hide their discrimination against Azerbaijanis based on ethnic and religious grounds.”

They also noted a disregard for the plight of over one million Azerbaijanis who have suffered ethnic cleansing in Armenia and the formerly occupied territories of Azerbaijan.

“They show indifference to the destruction and mining of Azerbaijani lands by Armenia. The style and content of the letter leave no doubt that it was drafted within the US State Department,” the Community declared.

They called upon the United States to “end its policy of blackmail and racial discrimination against Azerbaijan” and urged respect for the rights of Azerbaijanis expelled from Armenia to return to their homes.

By Aghakazim Guliyev