Interview with Aydin Mirzazade, an MP for the ruling New Azerbaijan Party and deputy chair of the Milli Majlis committee for defence and security.
Q: What will be the positive and negative effects on France of the law criminalizing the denial of genocide?
A: The French Senate made the biggest mistake in the country's history of parliamentarianism. The Senate has interfered in a historical question, which is not within its competence. At the same time, the Senate has interfered in historical events that have not even been confirmed. Notwithstanding the repeated calls by Turkey, France refused to create a commission to investigate the historical events of a century ago. Unfortunately, some political circles in France raised to a similar level the competition, which this country historically has with Turkey.
By this decision France ruined its relationship not only with Ankara, but also with countries that are friendly with Turkey. France is thereby damaging its international image as a democratic and free country. In other words, France has demonstrated that it can restrict freedom of speech, freedom of thought. I am sure that their future generations will ask forgiveness from Turkey and the world community.
Q: How will the decision influence Turkish-French relations?
A: I think that in the near future this decision will receive responses, which will certainly be negative for interstate relations. Turkey will limit its political, economic, cultural and military relations with France. France itself will suffer the primary damage. Unfortunately, the Senate decision, designed for the upcoming presidential elections in France, completely fails to meet the national interests of the country. In this regard, France has caused great damage to Armenia by recognizing the "Armenian genocide".
Q: What steps should Turkey and Azerbaijan take in response to this law?
A: The positions of Turkey and Azerbaijan on this issue are unanimous and clear. Azerbaijan has always been at Turkey's side, including on this issue.
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has already expressed his firm stance on this issue. As for Azerbaijan, Paris realizes that Baku may review its relations with France.
Q: How expedient is France's further co-chairmanship of the Minsk Group, mediating a settlement to the Karabakh conflict?
A: This issue has been on the public agenda in Azerbaijan for some time now and is gradually becoming reality. The removal of France from the Minsk Group will reduce the number of countries involved in the settlement of the Karabakh conflict. But on the other hand, now that France has taken a biased stance on regional issues, it cannot be a mediator in the Karabakh settlement. Azerbaijan's refusal of French mediation in this conflict is possible, and this step is one of the issues under debate in Azerbaijan.
Q: How likely is it that the French Senate will now recognize the Khojaly genocide?
A: Azerbaijan is doing its utmost on this. The international community already perceives the Khojaly genocide as one of the most tragic events for humanity. In addition, Armenia itself does not deny this fact either. Therefore, the question of recognition of the Khojaly genocide in the parliaments of the world is important for Azerbaijan. Baku will be consistent in pursuing this.
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