MEP: The supply of Russian gas through Azerbaijan is the EU’s double standards

The European Commission, represented by von der Leyen, was in a kind of panic about gas supplies to Europe. Two years later, the situation is different, and we see that gas consumption is lower than expected, French MEP François Alfonsi told Alpha News.

According to him, Europe has gas supplies from Qatar and the United States, and the situation in Europe is no longer the same as before.

“Today, everyone is more or less convinced that the gas coming from Azerbaijan is Russian. For Europe, this is unacceptable because we are against Russia and must stop these supplies because this is against the sanctions that the EU has imposed against Russia. Double standards need to end; we either have sanctions or we don’t,” Alfonsi said.

He emphasized that the need to terminate the agreement with Azerbaijan comes from Aliyev’s aggressive position towards Armenia and the Armenian people.
“There are diplomatic ways to change Europe’s position so that Russian gas does not enter through Azerbaijan. I don’t think von der Leyen is really on Azerbaijan’s side. She was concerned about gas supplies to Europe at the worst moment when Russia cut off all supplies to Europe, but now the situation is different,” the MEP said. He added that the EU has the will to strengthen relations with Armenia, the will to take a new political approach to the region, as evidenced by the debate that recently took place in the European Parliament.

Alfonsi noted that conversations about peace should actually start with urging Azerbaijan to stop the war, because it is Azerbaijan that is imposing it on Armenia.
Speaking about the relationship between Armenia and Russia and the crisis of Armenia’s membership in the CSTO, Alfonsi noted that Russia was Armenia’s historical ally.

“Armenia was in an alliance with Russia; it was not particularly satisfying, but the alliance existed and fought against the Ottoman Turks. It was a historical alliance, a legacy. But now this is not enough. It is obvious that Russia is against the democratic system of Armenia; Russia wants Armenia without freedom, or it will support it less than before. So, we need to find others who will support Armenia. And Europe is the only one I see.

The alliance between Turkey and Azerbaijan creates great difficulties for Armenia; the situation is very difficult. Since it is located next to Europe, the only hope for democracy in Armenia is Europe. This is very important for the future. A dictatorship can last two generations, 30 years, no more—and this is an important moment, and Europe must fully invest in this historical moment for Armenia in the process of its European integration; it must be supported,” the MEP noted.