In Armenia, this tendency is widespread, and everything undertaken in the region and the world is perceived through the lens of Azerbaijanophobia and growing hostility. It is not surprising that Armenians blame Azerbaijan for all mortal sins, especially after the second Karabakh war, which brought order to the region and ended a significant danger.
However, post-war realities demand urgent actions toward overall stabilization, which should benefit everyone. Armenia still shies away from beneficial actions while simultaneously criticizing the positive initiatives created by others.
The Baku Energy Week is under close scrutiny by Armenian circles. They focus not on the favorable developments that address energy generation issues and lay the foundations for positive climate change but on how unfriendly countries to Yerevan are increasing their assets.
Among these countries is Hungary, with which Armenia has cold relations. After a well-known incident at a NATO school in Budapest many years ago involving Armenian and Azerbaijani military personnel, during which an officer from the occupying country died, the neighboring country has been unable to adjust to new dimensions.
The malice and hatred towards Hungary, a friend to Azerbaijan, are only growing. Baku and Budapest are successfully taking joint steps toward broad integration. Given that the two countries are fully utilizing the opportunities of the bilateral format and simultaneously activating connections along the Azerbaijan-EU axis, it is clear that there is a multiplier effect in their interactions.
Meanwhile, in Yerevan, there is gloating, predicting that Hungary will soon lose its seat in the European Commission after the new European Parliament elections. They forecast that due to Budapest’s anti-Ukrainian stance, it will necessarily lose its positions in continental structures.
It is clear that the principle of “the friend of my enemy is my friend” is sacred to the Armenian mentality, but it does not hurt to realize that the times dictate pragmatism. With intense hatred, Armenians comment on the new agreements between Baku and Budapest on the supply of Azerbaijani energy resources to European partners.
Hungary’s acquisition of shares in the Azerbaijani energy market is perceived by Armenia as an unfriendly act towards itself. It is unclear why, since concluding beneficial agreements and deals between countries is purely their business, and what do the attitudes of third parties have to do with it?
However, one rather piquant moment is directly related to the matter. It turns out that Hungarian Foreign and Energy Minister Péter Szijjártó added a spoonful of tar to the Armenian honey barrel by suggesting that the European Peace Fund’s aid of $10 million to Armenia should also be allocated to Azerbaijan.
The whole world is aware of the immense moral, material, and physical burden placed on Azerbaijan in the restoration of de-occupied territories. Friendly countries and their companies lend a helping hand to Baku in this difficult task, showing examples of worthy empathy and participation. Armenians do not understand this, so their conclusion is that “because of the need for Azerbaijani energy resources, Budapest supports Baku, pushing justice to the background.”
Such a twisted logic, where everything healthy is overshadowed by a veil of falsehood. But if we are talking about justice, it should be assumed that the barbaric destruction of 20% of Azerbaijani territories, the Khojaly genocide, the deaths of tens of thousands of Azerbaijanis, and other miseries and deprivations should be considered just deeds?!
If normal countries and forces approve the restoration of Azerbaijan’s sovereignty over its ancestral lands and the protection of the rights of hundreds of thousands of refugees and internally displaced persons, they act honestly and conscientiously. But why should they be considered enemies of the Armenians? Do they think and act contrary to international law and universally accepted values?!
Baku, riding the wave of rationalism, continues to contribute to the implementation of the energy security program. Diversifying energy sources and accelerating the transition to green energy is a sign of the times, and those countries that shy away from beneficial participation and find artificial excuses to justify their inaction only multiply community problems.
Proving on a false note that the world is ruled by profit, not justice, and lamenting one’s misfortunes is the lot of dependents and idlers who are always waiting for something from others. They lack the tone of business and sound judgment.
If Armenian politicians and businessmen were wise and farsighted, they would have found opportunities to attend the Baku Energy Week. This would have been much better than gnashing their teeth at everyone and accusing the world of indifference to the persistent Armenian pain. If only they knew the etymology of this unknown disease.
They didn’t bother because it’s easier for them to criticize and delve into the depths of doing nothing, then walk the world with a begging hand. If they like it, let them stay in their familiar element.
But as athletes say, the field does not wait for players. There are always those who play a good and meaningful game for the benefit and joy of contemporaries.
Tofik Abbasov
