No:565/23, Commentary on the allegations made by Catherine Colonna, Minister of Europe and Foreign Affairs of France, during a press conference in Armenia
We strongly condemn and reject the unfounded allegations against Azerbaijan made by Catherine Colonna, Minister of Europe and Foreign Affairs of France on October 3, during a press conference held within the framework of her visit to Armenia.
Allegations of France, which never cared about the forceful mass deportations of Azerbaijanis from their homelands, as well as war crimes, and massacres committed against them for almost 30 years, claiming that Armenian residents who voluntarily relocated from the region were forcibly displaced without any proof, as well as opposing to the position of the UN, the International Committee of the Red Cross, UN High Commissioner for Refugees and other international organizations are intended to mislead the international community.
The efforts to supply Armenia with weaponry in every possible way and the instigation of this country for another aggression and military adventure by France are unacceptable. As with the previous attempts of France to intervene in our region, the inevitable failure of this kind of effort must be clear for France.
In this regard, we would like to draw attention to the fact that turning a blind eye by France to the fact of occupation of about 20% of the territories of Azerbaijan by Armenia in gross violation of all norms and principles of international law, and Armenia's obligations within the reached agreements, continuation of military-political provocations against Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity and sovereignty after the 44-day Patriotic War, as well as non-withdrawal of its armed forces from our territories until the counter-terrorism measures carried out by Azerbaijan was an obstacle to the peace process and a real threat in the region.
Remarks about France’s continuous support to Armenia and initiation of the UN Security Council meetings by France once again proved that France's allegations of being an impartial and neutral mediator over the past 30 years were groundless.
France's reference to the legitimate steps taken by Azerbaijan in its sovereign territories as a crime despite the statements of both international organizations and the Prime Minister of Armenia that the counter-terrorism measures carried out by Azerbaijan do not constitute any threat to peaceful Armenian residents, is not only fraud but also demonstrates that the insidious policy pursued by France leads to failure.