"We categorically reject the allegations made by France's Minister of European and Foreign Affairs Jean-Noël Barrot against Azerbaijan in the French Senate on May 6."
Medianews.az reports that this was stated by Ayxan Hacızade, the spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) of Azerbaijan.
He noted that the use of expressions such as "Nagorno-Karabakh" regarding the Karabakh region, which is part of Azerbaijan's sovereign territory, by the French minister is unacceptable:
"Following Azerbaijan’s just war carried out within the norms and principles of international law on its sovereign territories, a period has arisen in the region creating conditions for sustainable peace. Therefore, we firmly condemn such provocative statements from the French side that question Azerbaijan's sovereignty over its territories and cast doubt on the protection of cultural and religious heritage.
The French minister’s disregard of the destruction of hundreds of mosques and other cultural heritage sites during Armenia's occupation period on Azerbaijani lands, and his comments regarding the demolition of some structures remaining from the occupation period, as well as his unwarranted reference to ongoing proceedings at the International Court of Justice on this matter, are clear examples of double standards."
According to Ayxan Hacızade, the historical and religious monuments located in Azerbaijan’s sovereign territories are part of our national and cultural heritage and are preserved regardless of their origin or secular or religious affiliation:
"France's calls regarding the implementation of a UNESCO evaluation mission to the Karabakh region of Azerbaijan are a blatant distortion of realities. Although Azerbaijan has repeatedly invited the realization of such evaluation missions, unfortunately, this has not been possible due to known obstacles imposed by countries like Armenia and France. UNESCO itself confirmed this fact in its 2005 report.
Such statements by the French minister do not serve sustainable and genuine peacebuilding in the region."