Lithuania"s Ambassador Handed Note of Protest

Deputy Foreign Minister Khalaf Khalafov on Monday received the Ambassador of Lithuania to Baku Arturas Zhurauskas and expressed him discontent of official Baku with the establishment of the Lithuanian Seimas friendship group with the so-called "Nagorno-Karabakh Republic." According to a press release from the Foreign Ministry, Khalafov informed the ambassador that the creation of such a group on Nagorno-Karabakh - Azerbaijan's occupied territories, is the gravity of the violation not only Azerbaijani legislation, but also international law. As with regret said Khalafov, the initiative put forward by some MPs, does not meet the present level of relations between the two countries, and casts a shadow on bilateral relations. Azerbaijan considers it as a violation of the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the country, support of separatism and disregard for the principles of international law. 

Zhurauskas said he understands the concerns of Baku and would report Azerbaijan's position to his government. According to him, the initiative of several deputies does not reflect the position of the Seimas and the government of Lithuania. However, as emphasized Khalafov, this answer does not satisfy Azerbaijan, because members of the Lithuanian Parliament represent the legislature and are persons with special status. Moreover, these deputies took the initiative of establishing relations with the representatives of the so-called "Nagorno-Karabakh Republic" at no personal ties, but as a "friendship group." 

As recalled Khalafov, all reputable international organizations and the international community recognize Nagorno-Karabakh territory of Azerbaijan. Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs presented the Lithuanian diplomat a protest note and expressed the hope that this case will be investigated and the Lithuanian side will take steps to prevent such situations. -06d-