Europe accused of going soft on Azerbaijan to avoid buying Russian gas
Summary
A young peace activist in Azerbaijan received a 15-year sentence, leading to criticism of the European Union for not taking a stronger stand against Azerbaijan's government. The EU has been seeking Azerbaijani gas to reduce its reliance on Russian energy, complicating its response to Azerbaijan's internal political actions.Key Facts
- Bahruz Samadov, a 30-year-old activist, was jailed for 15 years for high treason in Azerbaijan.
- The European Union (EU) has been criticized for its soft stance towards Azerbaijan.
- The EU began viewing Azerbaijan as a key gas partner after Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022.
- President Aliyev's actions have included regaining control over the Karabakh region and cracking down on opposition.
- The European Parliament has called for sanctions against Azerbaijan, but the EU continues to engage with it.
- Azerbaijan supplies up to 40% of Bulgaria's natural gas and significant percentages to Italy and Greece.
- The EU aims to reduce its dependence on Russian gas by diversifying its energy sources.
- The EU is concerned about human rights issues in Azerbaijan and has addressed these concerns in discussions with Azerbaijani leadership.
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