Azerbaijan denounces French minister's unfounded allegations

In response to French Interior Minister Gerard Darmanin's recent remarks on alleged ties between Azerbaijan and leaders advocating for independence in New Caledonia in an interview with France-2 TV channel, Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Aykhan Hajizada issued a strong rejection.

"First of all, we once again strongly condemn the insulting statements of the French side against Azerbaijan and demand to stop the slanderous campaign against our country using unacceptable accusations of mass murder of Armenians," the commentary reads, per Caliber.Az.

Hajizada urged the French interior minister to recall the crimes against humanity committed against indigenous peoples, the brutal killings of millions of innocent people, which are part of France's long-standing colonial policy.

"Instead of accusing Azerbaijan of supporting pro-independence protests in New Caledonia, Gerald Darmanin should focus on his country's failed policies in a number of regions, which are responsible for those protests. We once again call on France to stop making unfounded claims against Azerbaijan," says the commentary.