Azerbaijan’s FM speaks of French diplomats declared "personae-non-gratae"

Azerbaijan’s Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov spoke of the two diplomats of the French Embassy in Azerbaijan who have been declared "personae-non-gratae"(undesirable persons), as he addressed a press conference on the results of the year.

"It should be noted that two days ago we sent a note to the French Embassy. The state bodies of Azerbaijan have recorded serious facts regarding these persons, i.e. a call for investigation. Although the investigation required the consent of this state. If the French state was sure of the innocence of its employees, it should have responded to our call. The ambassador was invited to the Foreign Ministry, the diplomats were given 48 hours to leave the country," the minister said, APA reports.

Jeyhun Bayramov also commented on the declaration of two Azerbaijani diplomats as undesirable persons in France: "As a retaliatory measure, without any concrete evidence, Azerbaijani Ambassador to France Leyla Abdullayeva was summoned to the French Foreign Ministry and was informed that two of our diplomats were declared undesirable persons in France. I would like to reiterate that we have evidence and facts, while they do not have any".

Highlighting the current state of Azerbaijani-French relations, FM Bayramov noted that it is at the lowest level.

"The current state of Azerbaijani-French relations is at the lowest level. This is a fact. The reason lies not in Azerbaijan. Azerbaijan does not intend to take any steps against France," the minister added.

Responding to a question on cooperation in the economic sphere amid deteriorating relations with France, the minister said:

"We are not in favor of mixing issues. Total showed interest in the "Absheron" field many years ago and won the tender. There is a contractual agreement. The obligations of the parties are stipulated in this contract. Hundreds of companies are investing in Azerbaijan, receiving income and benefits. But they have both rights and obligations. I believe that this will also be regulated in line with the law stipulated in this agreement. I don't see any serious risks here. I believe that all obligations and rights are reflected in these agreements".