We cannot allow some European countries to treat other nations as colonies in the 21st century. When we raised our voice - when we raised this issue during our chairmanship of the Non-Aligned Movement - it was not because we were against any country. We were just committed to justice and international law.

Axar.az reports that President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev said these words in his speech at the opening ceremony of the 6th World Intercultural Dialogue Forum on "Dialogue for peace and global security", which started in Baku on May 1.

"The world should not turn a blind eye to the disgusting practice of neo-colonialism. This indicates assimilation, which is forced assimilation. It takes place in more than 10 French overseas territories. This should be stopped," the head of state said.