Europe alleges that Azerbaijan was softer to avoid buying Russian gas

Last month, a young man’s peace activist in Azerbaijan was imprisoned for a six -year treason when his friends were mainly directed to the European Union, who kept him in jail.

PH -year -old PhD student Baharuz Samadov is one of the most rigorous punishment given to President Ilham Aliyav’s six -year rules. He denies the charge as a fake.

The European Union can keep “flirting with Baku, but the calm is worth”, a critic complained.

After Russia’s full-time invasion of Ukraine in the 5th, European Commission Chairman Usula Von Deer Layen declared Azerbaijan a “main partner” in an attempt to get away from Russian natural gas.

During that time, Aliyav has re -established control over the Breaking Karabakh region, which leads to its entire Armenian population; Monitors have been widely criticized and strongly criticized the opponents and press freedom.

The The European Parliament appealed to the European Union last year To approve Baku and rely on Azerbaijan’s gas export. However, the highest officials of foreign policy refrain from publicly criticizing Aliyav.

In April, when the European Union’s highest diplomatic cake visited Kallas Baku, Aliyav’s opponents were strongly criticized for emphasizing “great potential” for EU-Ezerbaijan relationships, while at least 21 lead journalists were arrested in Baku.

Aliyav has justified the arrest of journalists as a “need to protect the media landscape from external negative effects”, accusing journalists of being “illegally funding from abroad.”

He has also accused the international organizations of bias and intervention in domestic politics and have been ordered to close the UN, International Red Cross Committee and BBC’s Baku offices.

The European Union’s policy was given to Aliyayev, “said former Latvian diplomat Elder Mamdov.

“Baku-brussels have long been strained due to suppression, dissatisfied arrest, bloggers and opponents,” he told the BBC. “Due to Russia’s aggressiveness in Ukraine, the issue literally disappeared from the agenda.”

The European Union rejected the allegation.

The (European Union) belongs to the narrow civilian space in (Azerbaijan), “the spokesman told the BBC and urged Baku to release all those who were arbitrarily occupied to use their fundamental rights.”

With Kaja Kalas’s visit to Baku, “the European Union has consistently expressed concern at all levels in both public and private places.”

To avoid relying on a single supplier like Russia, the European Union wants to diversify where its gas gets.

Azerbaijan is far from becoming the largest player because EU has a total share in natural gas imports A polite is 4.3%Despite the increase in supply.

But the share is high in some member countries connected to the southern gas corridor pipeline of Azerbaijan. 40% of Bulgarian natural gas imports come from Azerbaijan and it is 15% for Italy and Greece.

According to the Senior European diplomat, the Senior European diplomat speaking on the terms of unknown, it was difficult to present the United Morcha to the union.

He said, “In this situation, Europe has no great reliable benefit to Azerbaijan,” he said.

Benjamin Godwin, a risk analyst in Caucasus and Central Asia, says Benjamin Godwin, who does not have power in Europe without azerbaijani gas.

He says, “EU’s strategy is to have gas from different places as possible,” he says. “And even though it does not rely on Azeri gas, Russia would like to take more gas from Azerbaijan to reduce its dependence on Russia.”

That energy partnership “Our role in the human rights situation in Azerbaijan does not change,” an European Union spokesman told the BBC.

In addition to gas, President Aliwee has other benefits of Europe.

In the face of the Russian attack, he has consistently supported the regional integrity of Ukraine – a rare role in the former Soviet states seen by the Kremlin as a friend.

Although Azerbaijan has not banned Russia, Ukraine has been provided with humanitarian help.

Moscow Baku’s relationship has taken a downside in recent months.

Last December, Azerbaijani Airlines aircraft collapsed with 38 38 people.

After the death of two Azerbaijani men in the Russian police custody, the crisis increased even further.

Experts say that Aliev has tried to take a big role in the traditionally dominated region of Moscow, by openly challenging Russia. But as Vladimir Putin’s opponent, he also presents himself to the west.

“Azerbaijan has attracted attention and he has played it well. They are seeing that they want to be friends with them and they are using it in all directions,” senior EU Muttaddi told the BBC.

Another well -equipped European Mutsaddi said: “We (Azerbaijan’s human rights records) are not completely happy, but we can’t do much.”

Last month, when seven Azerbaijani investigations were given to reporters in long jail terms, the European Union diplomatic service (EEAS) They said it was a “worrying development” And “demanded immediate steps to ensure a safe and capable environment for all journalists”.

So far, the European Union has been silent during the Bahuz Samadov’s jail term for treason. But his friends say he recently tried to take his life and tried to fear his safety.