Baku condemns French Foreign Ministry's statement

Baku/13.04.23/Turan: France expresses its deep concern over the violence that took place on April 11 on the border between Armenia and Azerbaijan, near Tegh settlement in the territory of Armenia, following which there were 7 dead and wounded from both sides. This was said in a statement issued by the French Foreign Ministry on April 12.

"France recalls that the demarcation should be carried out exclusively through negotiations, and calls upon the sides to continue their efforts in this direction.

Respect for Armenia's territorial integrity and the withdrawal of Azerbaijani forces from the occupied positions on the Armenian side of the line of contact are necessary to prevent future incidents and to maintain the foundations of a stable peace in the region.

France fully supports and facilitates the activities of the EU observer mission deployed on the Armenian side of the border, which plays a central role in reducing tensions. France will continue to work together with the European Union in the interests of the ceasefire, dialogue and the continuation of negotiations between Armenia and Azerbaijan," the statement said.

In response, the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry accused official Paris of supporting Armenian separatism and revanchism.

The statement of the French Foreign Ministry in connection with the military escalation on the Armenian-Azerbaijani border does not reflect reality and is unfair and biased. This is said in the commentary of the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry dated April 13.

Baku believes that the statement of the French Foreign Ministry is aimed at "supporting the Armenian provocation committed by the Armenian side towards Azerbaijani positions in Lachin region on April 11 and does not correspond to the real state of affairs.

"France, which has been a mediator in the Azerbaijani-Armenian conflict for almost 25 years, has never given an assessment of Armenia's aggressive and occupation policy," the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry said.

Baku accused Paris of bias and an unfair position in the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict.

"An example of France's bias against our country is Paris' unwillingness to urge Armenia to respect the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Azerbaijan and withdraw its troops from Azerbaijani territories. At the same time, Paris unilaterally declares that it is important to respect only the territorial integrity of Armenia," the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry said in a comment.

The official Baku urged France to refrain from such statements in the future which encourage Armenia to carry out new provocations and supporting revanchist forces in the country. -06В-