Azerbaijan Foreign Ministry Categorically Rejects "Anti-Azerbaijani" Allegations Voiced in French Senate

Baku, The Gulf Observer: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan has issued a sharp rebuttal to statements made by France’s Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Jean-Noël Barrot, during a session at the French Senate on May 6.

Aykhan Hajizada, Spokesperson for the Ministry, formally rejected the allegations, labeling the French Minister’s narrative as “unacceptable” and a hindrance to regional stability.

Sovereignty and Terminology Disputes

The Ministry took particular issue with the French Minister’s use of the term “Nagorno-Karabakh” to describe the Garabagh region. Hajizada emphasized that the area is an integral part of Azerbaijan’s sovereign territory and that such terminology questions the nation’s territorial integrity.

“We strongly condemn such provocative statements by the French side, which question Azerbaijan’s sovereignty over its territories,” Hajizada stated.

He further noted that Azerbaijan’s actions on its sovereign land were conducted within the framework of international law to create conditions for lasting peace.

Allegations of Double Standards

Azerbaijan accused the French side of exercising a “clear example of double standards” regarding the protection of cultural and religious heritage. The Spokesperson highlighted several key points:

Neglected Destruction: The Ministry claimed France has ignored the past destruction of hundreds of mosques and cultural sites during the period of occupation.
National Heritage Protection: Hajizada reaffirmed that all historical and religious monuments within Azerbaijan’s sovereign territory are protected as national heritage, regardless of their origin or affiliation.
UNESCO Mission: Regarding calls for a UNESCO assessment mission, the Ministry asserted that Azerbaijan has historically been the party requesting such missions, while their realization was hindered by obstacles created by Armenia and France—a fact referenced in a 2005 UNESCO report.

Impact on Peace Efforts

The Ministry concluded that the French Minister’s comments and “inappropriate references” to proceedings before the International Court of Justice distort current realities.

“Such statements by the French Minister do not serve for lasting and sustainable peace in the region,” Hajizada added, signaling that France’s current diplomatic stance continues to strain relations and complicates the post-conflict normalization process.