Official Baku took legal proceedings against a group of people who illegally visited our territory and sent an inquiry to the Interpol after the so-called “referendum” held by Sargsyan`s criminal regime in Karabakh. Among them were three Members of the European Parliament (MEP) - Jaromír Štětina (Czech), Frank Engel (Luxemburg) and Eleni Theocharous (Greek-Cypriot).

It is quite serious and unprecedented to abruptly send inquiry about three MEPs. It never happened in the history of the European Parliament and Interpol up until now. Of course, the Azerbaijani side clearly understands what it means. Furthermore, it is aware that the Armenian network in the EP will attempt to make retaliatory strikes with all its strength. However, the issue is a basic principle: Succeeding Lapshin`s arrest Azerbaijan proved that any people trying to illegally visit Karabakh will be punished. The Government aims to strengthen its steps in this direction.

Currently, each of three people makes sarcastic (in short, fearful) statements as if they heap ridicule on Azerbaijan`s aim. But, let`s take back.
Alexander Laphsin who is currently in jail in Baku did the same things. Therefore, don’t be surprised if one of Štětina-Engel- Theocharous trio makes an apology: This will be the second stage. Lapshin made an apology, too.

After the so-called “referendum”, Jaromír Štětina confessed that the Republic of Armenia funded his visit to Karabakh. This fact signifies the violation of a rule of ethical behavior by the MEP and a cause of a conflict of interests.

Undoubtedly, the Armenian side paid Štětina`s all expenses. Additionally, Štětina received money from Armenia. He exposed himself by saying it when legal proceedings were taken against him. It is clear that material interests and elements of corruption constitute the basis of his propaganda against Azerbaijan under the name of “democracy” and promotion of the so-called regime.



Štětina’s visit is a typical example of ‘cognac diplomacy’ of Armenia and the Armenian lobby. He shows his Armenian nationality more than Sargsyan in his interviews and statements. He says that Armenia must have Karabakh. Even he does not want to think about Azerbaijan’s position. But speaks of honesty!.. Mr Štětina, honesty cannot be found in the brain washed with cognac! We understand that the money given by Armenians stimulates you to violate the Azerbaijani regulations and borders and make provocative statements. But you need to consider that it is necessary to pay back everything sooner or later. Mandate of the European Parliament is not a privilege but responsibility. No one has given you a mandate to engage with unlawfulness, lobbying and misinformation!

Making the European Parliament an object of manipulation and lobbying is disrespectful to the European voters and European Structure. Therefore, we think that the Ethics Committee of the European Parliament, relevant law enforcement bodies of Czech must investigate the roots of Jaromír Štětina’s anti-Europe policy and motives of anti-Azerbaijan policy.

When it comes to Frank Engel , Luxembourg which he represents is smaller than Baku with slightly more than a half million population. Member of the ruling party of Azerbaijan – New Azerbaijan Party (NAP) is more than the population of this country. Therefore, there is nothing surprising about the representation of this small country by such avanturist and marginal politician. It seems, he wishes to be a big lobbyist of a small country.

Let’s confess that Armenians had right estimations about the plan to coax Frank Engel. The representative of the small country has wide opportunities to make pro-Armenian actions. Representatives of big countries necessarily have to consider interests and positions of their states and strategic relations with Azerbaijan. But representative of small country has power which those from big countries do not have: responsibility burden is low. It eases to become an envoy of ‘cognac diplomacy’.



He began his actions as Armenian Honorary Consulate in Luxembourg. Since 2009 he has continued his anti-Azerbaijan actions in the European Parliament.

The main duties of an honorary consul is the promotion of the business and trade relations. Interestingly, what kinds of economic ties does Armenia have with Luxembourg? Obviously, Engel as an honorary consul plays an agent of Armenian influence. He always says that so-called `Nagorno Karabakh Republic` should participate in the negotiations, organizes events against Azerbaijan in the European Institutions and joins the different actions organized by the Armenian lobbies. The question is: with what money?

One of those events was the press conference held in the Europan Parliament on February 14, chaired by the Ruben Melikyan, the Ombudsman of the so-called regime. Frank Engel sat next to him and was fighting with the shadow of Azerbaijan.

Furthermore, Engel is the co-author of the book titled ` Europe's Next Avoidable War: Nagorno-Karabakh ` which touches the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. The book completely focuses on the Armenian approach to the conflict. Besides, Engel is the author of the chapter defending the principle of self-determination of the people living in the Nagorno-Karabakh.



Probably if his activities were investigated in the European Parliament and in the country, interesting facts would be revealed.

When it comes to Eleni Theocharous, she is fanatic anti-Turk and pro-Armenian like all politicians of the Greek Cypriots. She has been striving for the recognition of the so-called `Armenian Genocide` for many years. In case of Turkey refuse the allegations, she threatens Turkey with calling its isolation from the European Institutions. His stance on this issue exposed itself regarding the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, as well. Theocharous makes anti-Azerbaijani statements and defends the so-called criminal regime in the Armenian-occupied Azerbaijani lands. After the April fights, his anti-Azerbaijani stance sharpened more. Undoubtedly, not automatically, but with the help of `cognac diplomacy`…



Of course, any Member of the European Parliament may make statement on any issue, but the violation of the internationally recognized border of a country is unambiguously crime. It would be better the European Parliament to remove the cognac stains on it and take necessary measures about the agents of influence. However, as the European Parliament is the European Institution with deep Armenian roots, it does not seem credible for the EP in the near future. The other side of the medallion seems more real for the near future: anti-Azerbaijani games in the European Parliament will outnumber. However, all the perspectives are not considered for the future…


Vusal Mammedov is an analyst and editor-in-chief of AzVision.az

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