Swedish MP: It seems like Aliyev isn’t far from launching a new war

Swedish Member of Parliament Erik Hellsborn has welcomed the extension of the mandate of the EU civilian mission in Armenia (EUMA), expressing hope that it will help prevent a new possible aggression by Azerbaijan.

The Swedish MP expressed such an opinion in an interview with an Armenpress correspondent, speaking about Armenia’s decision to extend the mandate of the EU mission in Armenia for another two years.

The Swedish lawmaker expressed regret that Azeri leader Ilham Aliyev has been continuing his belligerent rhetoric against Armenia.

“I think this [the extension of the mandate of the EU Mission in Armenia] is very positive. Regrettably Baku has been using highly aggressive rhetoric against Yerevan again and again. It seems like Aliyev isn’t far from launching a new war. We hope the EU mission can help prevent it,” Hellsborn noted.

Speaking about the Azerbaijani government’s complaints about EUMA, the Swedish legislator said that Baku itself refused to deploy EUMA on its territory.

Hellsborn described the Azerbaijani accusations of espionage by EUMA as absurd.

“The EU would have preferred to be able to work on both sides [Armenia and Azerbaijan], however Baku rejected this. The claims that there are some spies in the mission are absurd. The mission is very transparent and it even notifies in advance where it will conduct patrols,” Hellsborn said.

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