Azerbaijani spokesperson demands France to refrain from groundless statements

Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Aykhan Hajizada has demanded France put an end to groundless statements, which are directed against Azerbaijan's sovereignty and territorial integrity, protected by international law, and which endanger the fragile normalisation process in the region.

The spokesman made the remarks, commenting on the opinions voiced by French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs Anne-Claire Legendre on September 12, Caliber.Az reports per the Foreign Ministry.

According to him, such statements by the French official, that do not serve peace and stability in the region, create a false impression of the current situation and defend Armenia unilaterally, are unacceptable.

“Azerbaijan has the right to direct its forces in any direction for the purpose of training in its sovereign territories, as well as to ensure the security of its borders. Interference in these steps is unacceptable,” he pointed out.

Hajizada underlined that Azerbaijan's commitment to the peace process is strong, and this position has been proven by the successive steps taken by the country since November 2020.

“Our determination to protect our sovereignty and territorial integrity is equally firm and resolute,” he stressed.

The spokesperson also reminded France that the main source of threat in the region is the presence of the Armenian armed forces, which have not yet been removed from the territory of Azerbaijan and are directly supported by Armenia.

“As for the baseless claims of the French side about the alleged ‘blockade’ and ‘humanitarian crisis’ in the region, the said views are part of the smear campaign carried out by Armenia against Azerbaijan all over the world by abusing individual states and international organisations. There should be no doubt that Armenia's attempt to present the situation to the international community as a ‘humanitarian’ issue is actually a political manipulation directed against the sovereignty and territorial integrity of our country,” he said.

“Azerbaijan has declared that it is possible to use the Lachin-Khankendi and Aghdam-Khankendi roads and other possible roads to transport goods to its Garabagh region through the International Committee of the Red Cross and in compliance with Azerbaijan's legislative requirements.

In this regard, despite the agreements reached after the Brussels meeting on July 15, as well as at the beginning of August, and despite the support of this process by the United States and the European Union, it is well known to the French side that the Armenian side and the so-called regime created by it grossly violated these agreements,” he emphasised.