Azerbaijan’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Aykhan Hajizada, has strongly rebutted accusations made by France’s Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Stephane Sejourne, branding them as unfounded. These remarks were made during a press conference in Paris, where Sejourne was alongside the US Secretary of State. Hajizada suggested that these claims are part of a larger pattern of behavior by France, aimed at escalating tensions in the region and obstructing peace initiatives.
In his response, Hajizada highlighted the contradiction in France’s portrayal of Armenia as a peaceful nation, given Armenia’s long history of occupying Azerbaijani land, displacing hundreds of thousands of people, and committing severe human rights abuses. He said, “Presenting Armenia by France as a peaceful country, which occupied the territories of Azerbaijan for nearly 30 years, displaced almost one million Azerbaijanis from their native lands, and committed massacres and crimes against humanity, demonstrates how fake is the policy of this country conducted both during its mediation period and following the 44-day patriotic war.”
Furthermore, Hajizada criticized France for its military support to Armenia and for fostering a militaristic stance in the region, which he deemed unacceptable. He pointed out the irony in these accusations coming at a time when Azerbaijan is hosting a significant international environmental event, the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29), and called on France to refrain from damaging Azerbaijan’s reputation.
He concluded with a stark warning to France, emphasizing that their support for Armenia and their interference in the region had not been constructive over the last three decades. Hajizada stressed that unless France ceases its harmful actions, it will not only tarnish its own image but also fail to support Armenia effectively.
