French commentators provoked the Azerbaijani athletes by failing to name their country as they marched along the main track. This significant event was broadcast on local channels, leaving no doubt that the political establishment is behind this serious incident.
This blatant error cannot be dismissed as an accident or technical glitch. The shameful act reflects the biased attitude of the French authorities toward Azerbaijan, which has been unjustifiably placed among the enemy states of Macron’s France.
It is worth recalling that during the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games in Paris, French commentators had already made provocative remarks about Azerbaijan, mixing dirty political intrigues with a sporting event. The organizers used insulting statements, forgetting that slander is the revenge of cowards and the weak.
Now, in Paris, a second edition of the volume on moral depravity has been presented, clearly reflecting the unhealthy interest of a certain segment of the French political establishment in Azerbaijan. It seems the French still do not understand that Baku does not tolerate a policy of hatred and pressure, always preferring openness and trust.
It appears that self-admiration and belief in one’s own exceptionalism have become so entrenched on the banks of the Seine that after the scandalous failure at the opening ceremony of the main Olympics, no appropriate conclusions were drawn. They decided to repeat the “success,” which only highlights the weakness of the ruling circles of the Fifth Republic.
However, a reasonable question arises: why is there such prejudice against Azerbaijan? It is clear that Paris is determined to continue acting in a confrontational manner, hoping to gain some dividends from this reckless and completely incomprehensible policy. However, the productivity of such a pathetic methodology is questionable, and not just in Azerbaijan.
The initiators of the escalation were the French themselves, from Emmanuel Macron’s team, which has degraded the country’s state policy to the level of marginal Armenia, a country that is almost nonexistent within the borders of the South Caucasus and the entire Eurasian continent. No one has the right to dictate to others with whom and how to build friendships. If official Paris favors Yerevan, what objections could there be?
The French call Armenia “a country close to the hearts of the French.” By all means, the two countries have grown close, but does this attachment between two sisters have to transform into hatred toward a third country?
New systems emerge around personalities who drive new initiatives, discoveries, and undertakings. Considering that Emmanuel Macron, during his time as President of the Fifth Republic, has yet to distinguish himself as a deep thinker or a significant creator, it becomes clear that he is far from original and lacks political refinement. Could this be why he plays the role of a chaos architect, complicating the lives of sovereign nations?
They say there can be no show without an audience, and this is well known to the organizers of the Olympic Games, who managed to turn a significant event into a pathetic spectacle. Not only was the organization poor, with a lack of sanitation and many shortcomings and failures, but the anti-Azerbaijani hysteria was also fueled.
Baku gave no reason for the escalation of bilateral relations, remaining within the realm of predictability. The undermining of these relations was initiated by Paris, which considered itself morally entitled to dictate and apply heavy pressure. But they attacked the wrong country.
Betting on hostility and resentment will not pay off because Azerbaijan, as a self-sufficient state, behaves with maneuverability and resilience on the international stage. The French establishment has already witnessed this.
However, those on the banks of the Seine should not forget that due to the shortsightedness of their leaders, French etiquette on the Baku track is treading a slippery path, and they might slip at any moment. Most likely, that is exactly what will happen.
The challenge thrown by Baku has been accepted, and the Azerbaijani side, staying true to morality and composure, will not deviate from its chosen path of clarity. This means that Paris’s weakness will be transformed into Baku’s strength. It seems that those on the banks of the Seine have forgotten that confidence and courage do not depend on others or external factors. The source of these qualities is always a fighting spirit.
By setting in motion the pendulum of absurdity against Azerbaijani interests, the organizers of the Paralympic Games, or rather the strategists behind them, have shown themselves to be so morally bankrupt that they did not consider the people with sensitive psyches. After all, so much effort is spent globally to ensure that people with disabilities do not feel neglected by society and do not slide to the margins of life.
For them, these games are truly a great and memorable celebration, and it doesn’t matter whether they become winners or not. For them, participation is indeed everything.
By fueling the flames of the anti-Azerbaijani campaign, the unfortunate organizers have fallen out of touch with the times and have proven that they have completely exhausted their moral and spiritual qualities. Meanwhile, Azerbaijani Paralympians, with their focus on this important international event and their soft power, have outplayed the disgraceful organizers who have fallen so low.
Tofig Abbasov
