His reaction was expected. The chief negotiator of the Azerbaijani presidency of Cop29 responded, Thursday, November 14, 2024, to the diplomatic incident that occurred between France and his country 24 hours earlier, by affirming that the UN climate conference was « inclusive ».
“We have opened our door so that everyone can participate in constructive and fruitful discussions. Our door remains open”declared Yaltchine Rafiev during a press conference, the day after the cancellation of the visit of the French Minister of Ecological Transition, Agnès Pannier-Runacher, because of a virulent speech by President Ilham Aliev against France .
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“The host country, Azerbaijan, ensured that the process was inclusive”assured Ialtchine Rafiev, the man who coordinates the difficult negotiations of this Cop29 on a daily basis, cited by theAgence France-Presse (AFP). He recalled that some 80 leaders and “hundreds of ministers” were expected in Baku.
“We hope that all participants have only one intention, that of joining us in this collective effort towards a positive result”he added.
A boycott after “unacceptable” attacks
In a speech delivered on Wednesday, November 13, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev reiterated attacks against France, denouncing the country's colonial history and speaking of « crimes » of “President Macron’s regime” in its overseas territories.
Read also: Cop29 in Baku: why will CO2 emissions continue to increase in 2024?
In front of representatives of island states, some of whom applauded him heartily, he accused the “President Macron’s regime” to have “killed 13 people and injured 169 people […] during the legitimate protests of the Kanak people in New Caledonia”.
A few hours later, Agnès Pannier-Runacher announced, from Paris, that she would no longer go to Cop29 in reaction to attacks “unacceptable”. The minister was initially scheduled to arrive next week, for the end of the summit.
French President Emmanuel Macron did not come to the summit of leaders at the start of Cop29, Tuesday and Wednesday.
