MFA: we resolutely condemn and reject unfounded statements by the French MFA
We resolutely condemn and reject the unfounded responses of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of France, published on June 23 on the parliament's website in response to questions from members of the National Assembly of France on issues such as support for Armenians "resettled from Nagorno-Karabakh," "the fate of Armenian prisoners and their release," "Armenian religious and cultural heritage," "human rights in the Azerbaijani-Armenian peace process," as well as "human rights in Azerbaijan."
This was stated by the spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan, Aykhan Hajizada, commenting on the responses of the French foreign ministry.
According to him, the responses of the French side are yet another manifestation of Paris's biased approach to the process of normalizing relations between Azerbaijan and Armenia.
"The responses examine in detail issues of Armenia's security, 'Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh' and 'persons of Armenian origin detained in Azerbaijan.' However, it is regrettable that there is no mention of Armenia's nearly 30-year occupation of Azerbaijani territories, large-scale destruction, more than a million Azerbaijani refugees and internally displaced persons, the fate of the missing, and the mine threat from Armenia," Hajizada noted.
He emphasized that, despite statements of support for the peace process, France focuses on military cooperation with Armenia and support for the EUMA mission, which indicates a lack of neutrality.
"Expanding military cooperation with Armenia, supplying weapons, and demonstrating a one-sided political position do not contribute to peace. On the contrary, such steps fuel revanchist sentiments and harm the normalization process," the Foreign Ministry representative stated.
Commenting on statements about "Armenian prisoners of war and detainees," Aykhan Hajizada noted that such claims are completely contrary to reality.
"Attempts to politicize this issue and question court decisions are unacceptable. Persons of Armenian origin detained in Azerbaijan have been held accountable for specific crimes in accordance with national legislation and international law. Separatist leaders and other persons of Armenian origin, whom Armenia and France supported for nearly 30 years, have been convicted of war crimes, ethnic cleansing, military aggression, torture, and other serious crimes and are serving their sentences," he emphasized.
The Foreign Ministry representative also stated that it is inappropriate for France, which ignores the facts of the destruction of Azerbaijani cultural heritage in Armenia and in the previously occupied territories, the destruction of mosques, and acts of vandalism, to comment on issues of "Armenian cultural and religious heritage."
"It is surprising that France, known for numerous cases of corruption among politicians, police violence, harsh dispersal of protests, pressure on journalists, violations of migrants' rights and religious discrimination, as well as events in its overseas territories, including New Caledonia, is trying to lecture Azerbaijan on human rights.
The responses of the French Foreign Ministry once again demonstrate that Paris still finds it difficult to accept the new realities of the region. Instead of contributing to strengthening peace in the South Caucasus, France continues to adhere to outdated and one-sided political approaches. This seriously damages both its authority in the region and its image as a reliable partner," Aykhan Hajizada concluded.
