We strongly condemn the remarks by the French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Noël Barrot, once again targeting Azerbaijan with unfounded allegations during the OECD Global Forum on Building Trust and Reinforcing Democracy on 13 October.

Axar.az reports that Aykhan Hajizada, spokesperson for Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, made the remarks while commenting on the anti-Azerbaijani allegations made by French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Noël Barrot at an OECD event.

"The French Minister’s accusations against Azerbaijan demonstrate that the French side remains unwilling to abandon its confrontational rhetoric in relations with Azerbaijan.

Accusations that Azerbaijan interferes in the struggle of the peoples living in New Caledonia and other French overseas territories for their rights are entirely unfounded. Attempts to portray parties holding differing views on developments in France’s overseas territories as instruments of foreign interference are aimed at overshadowing the will and concerns of the populations of these territories.

It would be more appropriate for French officials, when speaking about democracy, human rights and the rule of law, to focus first and foremost on the consistent application of these principles in France’s own policies.

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