This time, the masterminds of all things anti-Azerbaijani enlisted the help of yet another group of tireless so-called environmental activists. These zealous front-runners of the West’s anti-Azerbaijani movement eagerly joined in the French chorus, barking their way into the conversation about environmental protection.
The editors at French Morning, masters of Parisian hyperbole, concocted a piece that, in line with current trends, pontificates on alleged ecological issues in Azerbaijan. With great zeal, the authors hammered their keyboards to churn out negativity aimed at a country that just last month hosted a global climate summit.
“This city (Baku — ed.) still seemed far removed from the climate crisis. Outdoor restaurant terraces were heated, car engines idled unnecessarily, and the omnipresent plastic bags hinted at a general indifference to environmental concerns,” wrote these self-proclaimed defenders of Azerbaijan’s flora and fauna, eagerly contributing to the Western hysteria.
To these environmental crusaders and fervent propagandists against Azerbaijan, we suggest taking a closer look at the problems in their own backyard.
It’s long been clear that some particularly “politically savvy” Parisians suffer from a form of farsightedness—deeply troubled by issues far away, while conveniently ignoring the reality right under their noses. Paris, after all, has long been ranked as one of Europe’s dirtiest cities. Yet the French prefer to overlook this inconvenient truth while enthusiastically jumping on the bandwagon of commissioned anti-Azerbaijani smear campaigns.
Let’s not forget the uproar surrounding the Seine ahead of the Paris 2024 Olympics. The international community was abuzz with concern over the river’s pollution levels after organizers announced plans to hold some events in its waters. The hosts of this massive sporting event promised to clean the Seine before the Olympics, but their efforts fell short. The triathlon’s start was postponed not once, but twice, due to unsafe water conditions. And despite the theatrical dives of French officials attempting to prove the river’s safety, the undeniable facts betrayed them: the Seine’s biochemical composition was far from acceptable.
After the triathlon and swimming events in the Seine, Parisian hospitals saw an influx of patients suffering from E. coli infections. Among them was Belgian athlete Claire Michel, along with 33 others who sought medical help following the competitions.
And yet, the French persist in their efforts to “help” Azerbaijan “solve its environmental issues.”
Interestingly, the Japanese already pointed out the glaring problem back in 2016. That year, Japanese media reported that tour operators had dispatched their employees to clean Paris streets before the arrival of Japanese tourist groups. These workers collected trash around the Eiffel Tower and near Trocadéro, lamenting that Parisian streets left too heavy an impression on Japanese visitors due to their uncleanliness.
But the story doesn’t end there. Japanese tourists have also described Parisians as rude and aggressive, prompting the Japanese Embassy in Paris to establish a 24-hour hotline for visitors experiencing cultural shock. Paris, the so-called “City of Love,” is not only dirty but also populated by residents who are, it seems, not known for their tact.
Nevertheless, the French brushed themselves off, wiped their faces, and resumed their usual habits: slandering, meddling, and poking their noses where they don’t belong.
As for COP29, we must disappoint them once again. No country that has hosted this conference can claim perfect environmental credentials. Baku was chosen as the summit’s host through standard procedures. This wasn’t an initiative driven solely by Baku’s desire or effort. It’s a UN conference, and Azerbaijan’s capital was simply selected as the venue. So why the hysteria? The whole situation is rather strange, to say the least.
