Azerbaijan tells France 'language of threats and pressure will yield nothing'

By Elena Teslova

MOSCOW (AA) - The Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry said Wednesday that attempts to speak to Baku in the 'language of threats and pressure will yield' no results.

Commenting on the decision by French authorities to recall its ambassador for consultations, Foreign Ministry spokesman Ayhan Hajizade said that Azerbaijan "will continue to take all necessary measures to protect its national interests."

Hajizade rejected accusations by the French of unilateral actions that damaged relations between the two countries.

"Our country's steps and official statements to France were only a response to the destructive activities of Paris. Despite the defamatory campaign against our country, we have always kept the doors open for dialogue," said Hajizadeh.

He said during the past 3.5 years, France "put in serious doubt efforts to normalize relations between Azerbaijan and Armenia on the basis of sovereignty and territorial integrity and contributed to the aggravation of the situation."

"The fact that France has put forward many initiatives against Azerbaijan in the UN Security Council, the European Union, Francophonie and other international platforms has proved the complete groundlessness of this country's claims to the status of a neutral mediator," he stressed.

Moreover, the French parliament adopted a number of documents calling into question the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Azerbaijan, he said.

"At the same time, it is quite obvious that the steps of France arming Armenia and encouraging militarism in the region do not serve peace," Hajizade emphasized.

the French Foreign Ministry recalled its ambassador to Azerbaijan for consultations on Tuesday, saying President Emmanuel Macron made the decision due to "Azerbaijan's ongoing actions in recent months, damaging bilateral relations between Paris and Baku."