“As heads of state of countries rich in fossil fuels, we of course defend the right of these countries to continue to invest and continue to produce,” he said.
“The petrostates are perfecting their evil COP strategy,” said Patrick Gary, a fossil fuel researcher at Global Witness. “Like the UAE, Azerbaijan also plans to massively increase gas production. Like the UAE, Azerbaijan also plans to legitimize its dictatorship by hosting these global talks. Like the UAE, Azerbaijan also appears to be using the COP to develop international business ties.
Baku, one of the most oil and gas-dependent economies of any country in the world, is expected to receive an additional $40 billion in foreign direct investment by 2034 to boost exports. . In the past year alone, the South Caucasian country has signed deals with France's Total Energy and Abu Dhabi National Oil Company to expand exploration and drilling.
Mr Aliyev warned in March that “anti-fossil fuel trends” should not deter investment, urging Europe's public banks to expand the Southern Gas Corridor, a 3,500-kilometre network of pipelines transporting gas. called for lifting the ban on support for fossil fuel infrastructure. From the Caspian Sea to Europe. The European Investment Bank, which financed the pipeline's construction with hundreds of millions of euros, told POLITICO that it would not consider funding its expansion.
gas politics
According to a recent Freedom House report, Azerbaijan is considered one of the most authoritarian states in the world, with Aliyev's government ensuring that “the country's oil and gas revenues” benefit “privileged classes rather than ordinary citizens.” It is said that they are ensuring that it will be brought to fruition.
The country has also fought several military conflicts with neighboring Armenia in recent years, including a recent offensive to reconquer the breakaway region of Nagorno-Karabakh. After the attack, the European Parliament approved targeted sanctions against Aliyev and other government officials, calling on the EU to “reduce Azerbaijan's dependence on gas imports.”
