The AIR Center hosted a meeting with the media representatives from the French overseas territories.

In his opening remarks, AIR Center's Chairman of the Board, Farid Shafiyev, informed the guests about the Center's activities and Azerbaijan's foreign policy priorities, its relations on bilateral and multilateral dimensions. 

Farid Shafiyev underlined that Azerbaijan has been under constant attack from the French media because of the Armenian lobby operating in this country. One-sided narratives were spread by the media representatives. Instead of reviewing France’s colonial policy in its overseas territories, groundless accusations have been made against our country.

“French media scapegoated Azerbaijan for the problems and challenges it faced in its overseas territories. Instead of laying blame on Azerbaijan, France should confront its neocolonial experiences. The underlying causes of the issues in the French overseas territories stem from the historical economic and political exploitation of these territories, and these processes persist to this day," he added.

He also touched on the selective application of international law and double standards, saying that Azerbaijan itself has suffered from the above-mentioned problems for 30 years and still faces. 

“The countries which are vocal about the principles of international law are the ones violating them.” 

He drew attention to Azerbaijan’s successful NAM Chairmanship noting that Azerbaijan has promoted the agenda of the Global South during its chairmanship and afterwards.

In conclusion, F. Shafiyev emphasized the importance of strengthening multilateralism and the realization of economic decolonization.