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Azerbaijan’s Aliyev to Skip EU Talks with Armenia, Angry with France

An Azerbaijani serviceman on patrol on Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2023, near Khankendi, Azerbaijan, also known as Stepanakert to Armenians. (AP)
An Azerbaijani serviceman on patrol on Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2023, near Khankendi, Azerbaijan, also known as Stepanakert to Armenians. (AP)
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Azerbaijan’s Aliyev to Skip EU Talks with Armenia, Angry with France

An Azerbaijani serviceman on patrol on Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2023, near Khankendi, Azerbaijan, also known as Stepanakert to Armenians. (AP)
An Azerbaijani serviceman on patrol on Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2023, near Khankendi, Azerbaijan, also known as Stepanakert to Armenians. (AP)

Ilham Aliyev, the president of Azerbaijan, has decided against attending an EU-brokered event in Spain where he could have held talks with Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, Azerbaijani state media reported on Wednesday.

Aliyev had been considering taking part in a five-way meeting in Granada, Spain, on Thursday with the leaders of France, Germany, Armenia and EU Council President Charles Michel.

The five were due to discuss the future of the Nagorno-Karabakh region after Baku took back full control in a 24-hour military operation launched on Sept. 19, and to review the progress of long-running but troubled peace talks between Azerbaijan and Armenia.

Azerbaijan's state-run APA news agency, citing unnamed sources, said Aliyev had decided against attending however. There was no immediate official confirmation that Aliyev would not go.

APA said Aliyev had wanted Türkiye to be represented at the meeting, but that France and Germany had objected, and said that Baku felt "an anti-Azerbaijani atmosphere" had developed among the meeting's potential participants.

In particular, APA cited what it said was discontent in Baku around a statement made by Michel and what it regarded as "pro-Armenian statements" by French officials and France's decision, announced on Tuesday, to supply Yerevan with military equipment.

French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna held talks with Armenia's Pashinyan in Yerevan on Tuesday, the first trip there by a Western government minister since Azerbaijani forces retook Karabakh.

Azerbaijan's foreign ministry issued a statement on Wednesday condemning what it said were unfounded comments by Colonna, who had voiced support for Armenia and its territorial integrity.

APA said that Azerbaijan would not attend any future talks that included France, but remained potentially open to possible three-way meetings with the EU and Armenia.

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UK Imposes Sanctions on Venezuelan Officials as Maduro Sworn in as President

President Nicolas Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores react on the day of his inauguration for a third six-year term in Caracas, Venezuela January 10, 2025. (Reuters)
President Nicolas Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores react on the day of his inauguration for a third six-year term in Caracas, Venezuela January 10, 2025. (Reuters)
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UK Imposes Sanctions on Venezuelan Officials as Maduro Sworn in as President

President Nicolas Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores react on the day of his inauguration for a third six-year term in Caracas, Venezuela January 10, 2025. (Reuters)
President Nicolas Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores react on the day of his inauguration for a third six-year term in Caracas, Venezuela January 10, 2025. (Reuters)

Britain announced new sanctions on Friday against 15 people associated with Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro's government, saying they were responsible for human rights violations and undermining democracy and the rule of law.

The sanctions target 15 individuals, including the head of Venezuela's top court, members of the security forces and military officials, Britain's Foreign Office said in a statement.

The sanctions were announced on the day of Maduro's inauguration for a third term and coincided with sanctions imposed by the United States and European Union member states. He has remained in power despite a dispute over an election and international calls for him to stand aside.

Maduro and his government have always rejected sanctions by the United States and others, saying they are illegitimate measures that amount to an "economic war" designed to cripple Venezuela.

Maduro and his allies have cheered what they say is the country’s resilience despite the measures, though they have historically blamed some economic hardships and shortages on sanctions.  

Venezuela's electoral authority and top court say Maduro, whose time in office has been marked by a deep economic and social crisis, won last year's presidential vote, though they have not published detailed tallies.  

Those targeted by Britain's sanctions will face travel bans and asset freezes, preventing them from entering Britain and from holding funds or economic resources in Britain.