We firmly condemn and reject the unfounded responses of the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs published on the Parliament’s website on June 23, in response to questions addressed by members of the French National Assembly regarding issues such as support for Armenians “displaced from Nagorno-Karabakh,” “the fate of Armenian prisoners and their release,” “Armenian religious and cultural heritage,” “human rights in the Azerbaijan-Armenia peace process,” as well as “human rights in Azerbaijan.”
“Elchi” reports that this is stated in the commentary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Aykhan Hajizada regarding the unfounded responses of the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs to the questions of the members of the French National Assembly.
The MFA official stated that the French side’s responses are another example of the biased approach it has long demonstrated regarding the Azerbaijan-Armenia normalization process: “While the responses devote significant space to issues such as Armenia’s security, ‘Armenians from Nagorno-Karabakh,’ and ‘persons of Armenian origin detained in Azerbaijan,’ it is regrettable that issues such as Armenia’s occupation of Azerbaijani territories that lasted for nearly 30 years, the destruction committed during this period, the displacement of over a million Azerbaijanis as refugees and internally displaced persons, the fate of missing persons, and the mine threat posed by Armenia are not addressed.”
He noted that despite the French side presenting itself as a supporter of the peace process, its special emphasis on defense cooperation with Armenia and its promotion of the EUMA mission once again show that France is completely far from neutrality in the region: “France’s expansion of military cooperation with Armenia, its arming of the country, and its display of a one-sided political position in the region do not serve peace. On the contrary, such steps encourage revanchist tendencies and deal a blow to the normalization process.
“The claims made regarding ‘Armenian prisoners and detained persons’ are completely contrary to reality. Turning this issue into a subject of political manipulation and attempts to question the court’s decision are unacceptable. Persons of Armenian origin detained in Azerbaijan have been held accountable for specific criminal acts in accordance with national legislation and international law. The separatist leaders and other individuals of Armenian origin, whom France, along with Armenia, has been caring for for nearly 30 years, have been convicted and are serving their sentences for war crimes, ethnic cleansing, military aggression, torture, and other grave crimes.
It is ridiculous for the French side, which ignores the facts of the destruction of Azerbaijani cultural heritage, the demolition of mosques, and vandalism in Armenia and the formerly occupied territories, to comment on claims regarding ‘Armenian cultural and religious heritage’.”
Aykhan Hajizada emphasized that, in addition to the above, it is surprising that France, which is remembered for numerous examples of corruption by politicians, police violence, harsh dispersal of protesters, pressure on journalists, violation of migrants’ rights, and religious discrimination, as well as violence in its overseas territories, including New Caledonia, is trying to lecture Azerbaijan on human rights: “The responses of the French MFA once again show that Paris still has difficulty accepting the realities of the region and, instead of contributing to the strengthening of peace in the South Caucasus, continues outdated and one-sided political approaches. This deals a serious blow to both France’s influence in the region and its image as a reliable partner.”