Tensions between Azerbaijan and the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) escalated sharply after PACE President Theodoros Rousopoulos referred to Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev as a “dictator” during an interview with Greek broadcaster Alpha News.
Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs swiftly condemned the remarks, calling them “anti-Azerbaijani” and announcing a ban on Rousopoulos’ entry into the country.
In a statement released by the ministry, spokesperson Ayhan Hajizadeh accused PACE and its leadership of harboring a longstanding bias against Azerbaijan.
“PACE has earned the just hatred of the Azerbaijani people over the years,” Hajizadeh said, as reported by Vesti.az. “Despite our openness to dialogue, certain individuals like Rousopoulos and Schwabe continue to distort Azerbaijan’s position, which is grounded in international law and justice.”
Hajizadeh described the PACE chief’s comments as politically irresponsible and unacceptable.
“Insulting our head of state by calling him a ‘dictator’ is beyond the bounds of decency and reflects political ignorance,” he added. “The hysteria within the Assembly, led by dictator Rousopoulos himself, is symptomatic of the overall dysfunction within PACE. A similar atmosphere is present in the European Parliament.”
The foreign ministry spokesperson also stated that Azerbaijan would no longer comply with rulings from the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR), noting that the country had abstained from voting in the election of ECHR judges.
Hajizadeh further revealed that Rousopoulos and the 76 PACE members who supported the suspension of Azerbaijan’s delegation have been blacklisted. Should Rousopoulos attempt to enter Azerbaijan, he would be deported, he warned.
Azerbaijan’s delegation to PACE remains suspended amid ongoing disputes between Baku and the Council of Europe over democratic standards, political freedoms, and human rights issues.
