Aykhan Hajizada Responds to French Foreign Minister, Urges Paris to Stop Unfounded Claims About Azerbaijan

Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry spokesman Aykhan Hajizada on October 14, 2026, responded to remarks by French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Noel Barrot and urged Paris to stop unfounded claims about Azerbaijan.

According to Hajizada, the French minister once again targeted Azerbaijan during his speech on October 13 at the Global Forum of the Organization of Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) on building trust and strengthening democracy.

"The French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Jean-Noel Barrot, who on October 13 during his speech at the Global Forum of the Organization of Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) on building trust and strengthening democracy once again made Azerbaijan the target of unfounded claims, we resolutely condemn."

The Foreign Ministry representative said the French minister's accusations against Azerbaijan indicate that the French side has still not abandoned confrontational rhetoric in relations with Azerbaijan.

"Accusing Azerbaijan of interfering in the struggle of peoples living in New Caledonia and other overseas territories of France for their rights is completely groundless. Linking parties that hold different positions on processes taking place in France's overseas territories to external interference is an attempt to keep in the shadows the will and concerns of the population of these territories."

"For French officials who speak about democracy, human rights and the rule of law, it would be more appropriate to focus first and foremost on the consistent application of these principles in France's policy."

"We call on the French side to put an end to unfounded claims against Azerbaijan and to observe the principles of mutual respect, sovereign equality and non-interference in internal affairs in international relations."

Source: apa.az

Prepared by:Yulduz Salimov