Azerbaijan mulls full exit from Council of Europe, Aliyev announces
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev stated that Baku is considering a complete withdrawal from the Council of Europe, not just suspension. He linked the move to the suspension of Azerbaijan's voting rights in PACE in 2024 and called for their restoration.
President Ilham Aliyev announced on Monday that Azerbaijan is contemplating a full withdrawal from the Council of Europe. Speaking at the fourth Shusha Global Media Forum, Aliyev said the country is weighing "not just the suspension or freezing of our membership" but an unequivocal exit. He noted that the Council of Europe's leadership has urged Baku to remain, with Secretary General personally asking Aliyev to find a way to improve relations.
The deterioration followed the 2024 suspension of Azerbaijan's delegation's voting rights in the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE). Aliyev, who led Azerbaijan's PACE delegation in 2001, called the situation regrettable and denied any wrongdoing. He demanded that voting rights be restored before Azerbaijan returns.
Aliyev also highlighted recent high-level visits from EU officials, including European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, European Council President António Costa, and foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, describing engagement with Brussels as significant. On the Middle East, Aliyev expressed hope the current escalation would be short-lived, calling for a just peace based on international law and urging neighbours to show restraint.
The Shusha forum, themed on media's role in peacebuilding, gathered broadcasters, editors, government officials, and communications specialists to discuss countering disinformation and the influence of artificial intelligence.
