The EU warns that Ilham Aliyev’s combative rhetoric is undermining negotiations. The Azerbaijani autocrat opened this year’s global climate conference, known as COP29, with a rant against Western “hypocrisy.” Two days later, he tore into France and the Netherlands for what he described as “repression” and ongoing colonial rule.
“Within hours, France’s top climate official canceled her trip to Baku,” POLITICO writes. As noted, the direct attacks — highly unusual in the three-decade history of United Nations climate talks — have left senior foreign affairs officials questioning whether the petrostate president is actually committed to the delicate dance of getting 200 countries to find consensus.
Aliyev’s remarks followed his controversial opening speech on Monday, in which he also praised fossil fuels as a “gift of the God.” He is also using the summit to strike gas deals.
