Azerbaijan considering full withdrawal from Council of Europe, Aliyev says

Azerbaijan Considering Full Withdrawal from Council of Europe: President Aliyev Announces Potential Complete Exit

Azerbaijan considering full withdrawal from Council - President Ilham Aliyev announced that Azerbaijan considering full withdrawal from the Council of Europe is now a serious possibility. During his address at the fourth Shusha Global Media Forum on Monday, the Azerbaijani leader revealed that Baku is exploring complete departure rather than simply suspending or freezing its existing membership. "We are unequivocally considering leaving that structure," Aliyev stated, marking what could be a significant realignment in Azerbaijan's relationship with European institutions.

Diplomatic Efforts to Preserve Membership

Council of Europe leadership has reportedly reached out to Azerbaijan in hopes of preventing a complete exit. Secretary General Alain Berset personally contacted President Aliyev, urging Baku to reconsider its potential withdrawal and work toward improving bilateral relations. "The secretary general of the Council of Europe (Alain Berset) contacted me and asked us not to do this and to find a way to improve the situation," the Azerbaijani president explained.

The Council of Europe, established as a human rights organization separate from the European Union, currently includes forty-six member states and oversees the European Court of Human Rights. Azerbaijan joined as a full member in 2001, a milestone Aliyev recalled fondly, noting he personally led Azerbaijan's delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) that same year. However, tensions have grown considerably, with the voting rights of Azerbaijan's PACE delegation suspended in 2024.

"They must restore the voting rights of our delegation. After that, the Azerbaijani delegation will return," Azerbaijan's president stated firmly.

Aliyev expressed regret over the deterioration in relations between Baku and the Council, emphasizing that Azerbaijan has no desire to deepen existing tensions. He argued that the suspension was an unjust decision made by the Council, and he called for the organization to acknowledge its error. "We have not taken any wrong steps. They have made an unjust decision. Therefore, they must step back and acknowledge their mistakes. On many occasions, I have expressed my concern," the president added.

Beyond the Council of Europe matter, Aliyev highlighted the recent surge in diplomatic engagement between Azerbaijan and European institutions. He referenced visits from European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, European Council President António Costa, and the EU's foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, describing this period as one of significant interaction between Baku and Brussels.

The Azerbaijani president also addressed the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, expressing hope that the current escalation would prove temporary. Drawing from Azerbaijan's own historical experiences with regional instability, Aliyev articulated his vision for sustainable peace. "I hope that this current eruption of conflict will not last long," he said. "Lasting peace must be just and fair and based on international law and not based on someone's ambitions and agenda."

"My message to our neighbours is to be responsible and to stop as soon as possible, and to try to normalise relations and not to escalate this process," Aliyev concluded, appealing for restraint across the region.

The Shusha Global Media Forum, held under the theme "The Mission of the Media in Promoting Peace: Restoring Truth and Rebuilding Trust," assembled a diverse group of participants including broadcasters, editors, government officials, and communications specialists. Attendees gathered to explore the critical role of media in peacebuilding efforts, combatting disinformation, and addressing the expanding influence of artificial intelligence in journalism. The opening day program featured multiple sessions dedicated to media diplomacy, public debate formats, and reporting methodologies within post-conflict societies.