“The visits to a number of states, in particular to the OSCE Minsk Group co-chair countries, by those who present themselves as representatives of the illegal regime created in the occupied territories of Azerbaijan are one of the constituent elements of the illegal acts committed in the occupied lands,” Deputy Head of the Foreign Policy Affairs Department of the Azerbaijani Presidential Administration Hikmat Hajiyev has told journalists. Saying France is one of the co-chair countries, Hikmat Hajiyev noted that the essence of the mediation mission requires that a mediator should take a balanced attitude and avoid such biased steps.

“Certain cases such as some French cities becoming sister cities with the Armenia-occupied Azerbaijani towns, and a visit to France by a person who presents himself as head of the illegal regime are incompatible with the commitments undertaken by France as an OSCE Minsk Group co-chair, and this should be stopped. As the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement, the diplomatic missions of Azerbaijan will express the country`s serious protest to France in this regard.” “The Azerbaijani community of the Nagorno-Karabakh region also expressed its position on the issue, if a person as Bako Saakyan travels to France, then an equal attitude towards communities should also be ensured. Both communities have equal rights. Showing special attitude to one community and indifference to the rights of the other is a gross violation of human rights,” Hikmat Hajiyev said. “If France and other countries wish to contribute to the conflict resolution, the withdrawal of the Armenian troops from the occupied territories of Azerbaijan and the return of the internally displaced persons to their native lands must be ensured first. A dialogue between the Azerbaijani and Armenian communities of Nagorno-Karabakh should be encouraged and supported as part of this process. The co-chair countries’ and international community’s activities in this regard would therefore be beneficial,” the Presidential Administration’s official added.