European Double Standards: When Politicians Forget Their Own Mistakes

"Georgia needs radical changes in order to even remain an EU candidate," said EU Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell, who is currently visiting Kyiv, in an interview with the Ukrainian edition of European Truth. He added that Georgia is "moving away from the European path." This is yet another example of an elderly official, nearing the end of his tenure, finally speaking from a pre-prepared script.

The most revolting aspect of this whole story is that Borrell's words were uttered in the capital of Ukraine, a country that still cannot get a clear answer to the simple question of when, or even if, it will be accepted into the EU and NATO. And the persona of the speaker is even more shameful. After all, Borrell is the same person who, over all the years of Armenia's occupation of 20% of Azerbaijani territory, never once condemned it.

At the same time, he voiced support for the Karabakh separatists and the Armenian occupiers following Azerbaijan's historic victory in the 44-day war. So, we are dealing with cynical individuals who lack their own opinions and are ready to spread any lies and nonsense. But I should note that figures like him and other cynical officials of the older generation are already being replaced by more audacious individuals.

In this context, it’s no surprise that one of these characters, the chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee of the German Bundestag, Michael Roth, decided to speak out about Georgia.

"We had a wonderful meeting with Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili, a brave leader and a devoted European. Our joint visit is driven by deep concern over the recent elections and the anti-democratic policies of the current government of Georgia. The elections were not free and fair," he said.

Here is another example of how Herr Roth’s words are used to spread lies about a sovereign state that has chosen to pursue policies based on respect for its national traditions and interests. We all remember well that the European Parliament, even before Georgia's parliamentary elections, stated that the country’s leadership should prepare for a peaceful transfer of power. When that didn’t happen, Herr Roth became an even more active instrument of spreading lies and blackmail against the official authorities of Tbilisi.

In fact, Borrell and Roth demonstrate clear disrespect for the will of the majority of Georgian citizens, insisting instead on the victory of the minority. Yes, we know how much attention is paid to different minorities in the EU, but this is a different matter. The chairman of the Georgian Parliament, Shalva Papuashvili, is absolutely right in this regard. He refused to meet with the European parliamentarians who came to Tbilisi, informing them in writing of his reasons.

"The unfriendly rhetoric and actions of some members of the delegation towards Georgia and its authorities, which we have witnessed over the past two and a half years, are incompatible with the values of Europe as a peace project," Papuashvili wrote.

He is right, and his position is just. They should be thankful they were even allowed to visit Georgia.

On the other hand, the same Herr Roth is banned from entering Baku, which doesn’t stop him from continuing to defame Azerbaijan from abroad. He has already received an award from the Armenian side for his efforts. Recently, Armenian President Vahagn Khachaturian awarded Michael Roth the Order of Friendship for "significant contribution to the strengthening and development of friendly relations between Armenia and Germany, as well as the protection of universal values."

The man has long been on the path to "success" and clearly earned himself a large barrel of Armenian brandy as a gift, or perhaps as a supplement to the state award of a country that has occupied 20% of Azerbaijan’s territory for more than a quarter of a century, ignoring four resolutions of the UN Security Council and General Assembly. Of course, Roth has never spoken out about Armenia's crimes.

I also remember clearly that in April 2021, Roth responded with lies and manipulations to a question from Azerbaijani MP Rafael Huseynov about the deaths in mined areas and the need to transfer maps of landmines. Our deputy raised the right question because citizens of Azerbaijan continued to die and be maimed in the territories liberated from occupation.

From November 10, 2020 to November 11, 2024, 382 Azerbaijani citizens became victims of mines planted by Armenia during the military occupation. This was reported by the Assistant to the President of Azerbaijan and Head of the Foreign Policy Department of the Presidential Administration, Hikmet Hajiyev, on X (formerly Twitter). He noted that the number of mine victims is growing, and Azerbaijan is still suffering from the consequences of Armenia’s 30-year occupation.

"The number of mine victims in Azerbaijan continues to grow. Azerbaijan is suffering from the consequences of the 30-year Armenian military occupation," Hikmet Hajiyev added.

But Herr Roth’s mouth is not meant to speak the truth. That has always been the case. He was one of those who called for a boycott of COP29 in Baku. And what was the result? His calls were ignored even in Germany. As you know, Germany will be represented at the forum by Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock, Vice Chancellor and Minister of Economy Robert Habeck, Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development Svenja Schulze, as well as Minister of Environment Steffi Lemke.

So, he will remain an observer, watching from the sidelines as a grand event unfolds in Baku. And if before he was despised only in Azerbaijan, now he has achieved the same in Georgia. In a little while, he will be able to visit only Armenia in the South Caucasus. And even then, maybe not always. We see how easily people in Europe become enraged when someone dares to choose a different path of development from the one they want to see in Brussels and Paris.