The Turkish-Azerbaijani propaganda, aimed at ensuring a high level of participation in the COP29 in Baku, has not reached its peak. There is still time, and the Azerbaijani propaganda machine, especially the bodies implementing foreign policy, are doing very serious work. Founding Director of Genesis Armenia Think Tank and Foundation, Candidate of Political Sciences, Associate Professor Abraham Gasparyan said this in a conversation with ABC media.
“For the last three months, I have been keeping my finger on the pulse while at the same time observing the developments that have been taking place. We should not look at the issue from a narrow viewpoint, focusing, for example, on whether Armenia will attend the conference or not. Of course, Baku works the propaganda machine to ensure Armenia’s presence at the conference at any cost. Thus, it will legitimize the post-war realities. However, serious American and European corporations and organizations have already announced that they do not want to participate in this conference with large delegations. Why? Azerbaijan is run by a dictatorship, and it is not safe there. In addition, Azerbaijan is engaged in a big regional game where the sovereignty of military and political decisions does not reside only with it. Azerbaijan is involved in a game where, in the case of a possible anti-Iranian alliance, we will deal with Israel, the U.K., and also American non-governmental corporations. This is a rather important point. And we are still not talking about the latent support from Turkey,” the political scientist said.
Analyzing the geopolitical situation, Gasparyan noted that a lot depends on two circumstances: What actions will the U.S. administration try to adopt with regard to Iran, or will it go to negotiations?
“Now, please tell me how COP29 is connected with all of this. In fact, it has a very direct connection, because Iran’s actions in the region will also predetermine the outcome of the U.S. presidential election. Such corporations, mostly those supporting a democratic administration in the U.S., seriously fear that there may be changes if Trump takes over. They are doubting whether they should attend COP29 or not,” the political scientist said.
In addition, Azerbaijan has serious fears. COP28 in the UAE was very well organized in terms of representativeness, inclusiveness and organization. Western experts say Azerbaijan lacks these opportunities and is going to use the provided platform as a propaganda springboard.
“One of the campaign issues will be the relations with Armenia and that of completely legitimizing the occupation of Artsakh. Apart from discussions, a visit to Shushi, for instance, may be organized. Representatives of the countries that have expressed solidarity with Azerbaijan may go there. The very Shushi may be turned into not only a cultural center, but also an environmental one,” Gasparyan said.
Meanwhile, the level of environmental disaster in Azerbaijan is so high that Anglo Asian Mining PLC has given permission to Azerbaijan to carry out construction works by raising the dam wall. If environmental organizations and the civil society remain silent about these and a number of other issues, COP29 can turn into a real disaster for Armenia, becoming the basis of serious economic and political problems.
