The Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe (CoE) has launched a grant program to support municipalities that receive "refugees" from Karabakh in Armenia. According to information, given on the page of the Yerevan office of the Council of Europe, the program's total budget is 100,000 euros, which will be allocated in the form of 4 grants of 25,000 euros for each municipality.
Umud Mirzayev, president of the International Eurasian Press Fund, stated to Ednews that this decision is a clear example of Armenian lobbying in the higher structures of Europe.
"Allocation of grants to refugees and displaced persons for any reason is an issue that exists in world practice. After anti-terrorist measures, Armenians living in the Karabakh territory of Azerbaijan, organized by the separatist forces, left the territory. The fact to be noted here is that they left the country without any threats, insults, or coercion. This whole process was carried out within the framework of the voluntary principle. Today, they are trying to promote this event with great determination and attract the attention of the international community. Thus, they managed to get a certain grant through the lobbying forces of the Council of Europe, but let it be, we know very well what it is like to be a displaced person and a refugee.
U. Mirzayev emphasized that the European structures have not paid this attention to our refugees even once in 30 years:
"Azerbaijani lands were occupied for 30 years, we had more than 1 million refugees and displaced persons. Unlike the Armenians, no one applied, gave a hand, or allocated a grant to us from such institutions. We were insulted and displaced from those areas. In 30 years, European structures did not show this attention to our refugees even once. Unlike the people of Azerbaijan, those ethnic Armenians left the area on buses, and in their cars, carrying their valuables with ease. Although the government of the Republic of Azerbaijan repeatedly told the civilians who left the territory that they could live as citizens of the country. In my opinion, the proposed grant project should not cause any panic in Azerbaijan. This is not surprising to us. European structures have always approached Azerbaijan's justice battle with double standards. It is a pity that a number of higher institutions in Europe express Christian initiatives. However, these institutions always talk about justice and law, but we see their unfair approach when it comes to practical work.
Akbar Novruz
