Azerbaijan criticises Lithuania’s FM for alleging breakdown of cooperation with PACE

Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry spokesperson Aykhan Hajizada has sharply criticized Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis' remarks at the October 2 session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), labelling them "completely groundless and unacceptable."

In response to Landsbergis' claims of a breakdown in cooperation between Azerbaijan and the Council of Europe, Hajizada clarified that the suspension of dialogue was not initiated by Azerbaijan but by PACE itself, Caliber.Az reports, citing the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry's press service.

"It was not Azerbaijan who halted the dialogue and refused to do so, but rather 76 members of Parliament who supported an unjust and legally questionable initiative to suspend the mandate of the Azerbaijani delegation to PACE," he stated.

The spokesperson emphasized Azerbaijan’s continued openness to dialogue, stating that "the Azerbaijani side has demonstrated its openness to dialogue through various channels and its sincere interest in resolving the situation."

Hajizada also addressed recent criticisms of human rights in Azerbaijan, calling Landsbergis' allegations baseless. He affirmed that "all the fundamental rights and freedoms are fully respected in Azerbaijan in line with the national legislation and the European Convention on Human Rights."

Furthermore, the spokesperson noted the inconsistency in Landsbergis' focus on the rights of Armenians in Garabagh while ignoring the plight of over 300,000 Azerbaijanis expelled from Armenia.

"Somehow, the Lithuanian Minister does not talk about the rights of more than 300,000 Azerbaijanis who were expelled from the territory of Armenia," Hajizada pointed out.

Concluding his remarks, Hajizada urged Landsbergis and the Council of Europe to take a more balanced approach and restore dialogue with Azerbaijan.

"Instead of taking such a biased position, it would be better for the Lithuanian Minister to focus on his own activities and call on PACE to take necessary steps to restore dialogue and cooperation with Azerbaijan," he stated.

By Khagan Isayev