Who is that Canada? France, leave us alone. Ilham Aliyev

The President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, has made quite dubious statements regarding Canada and France. “Sometimes countries located on the other side of the world make announcements related to the conflict or the processes taking place in Azerbaijan. This is unacceptable. As an example, I can point to Canada. Recently, I was informed that the Canadian Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement regarding Azerbaijan, about our internal affairs. What right do they have? Who granted them that right? Is it possible that it is a superpower and we didn’t know? Could this be the second Luxembourg, which has emerged as a second superpower and we were unaware of it? They should mind their own business,” said Aliyev in an interview with Azerbaijani television.

“I refute the statements made by the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs. We have repeatedly expressed our demands to the French side to leave us alone. Go and deal with your own affairs. A representative of the French Senate arrives in Yerevan, announcing that the French Senate recognizes Nagorno-Karabakh. When we address the French authorities about this issue, we lodge our complaint, and they tell us to pay no attention, that it is a legislative body, and it does not reflect the position of the government. Well, does the Ministry of Foreign Affairs also not reflect the government’s position? What kind of statements are these? They should mind their own business,” continued the Azerbaijani president in frustration.

Aliyev's particular indignation has been directed at the international community's reaction regarding the so-called “military trophies park.” “In French museums, the skulls of slain leaders of the Algerian national movement are displayed. Look in the mirror, how many times must I say this? I must tell journalists, foreign journalists, and foreign politicians. I must say this instead of being silent. However, they too should mind their own business. They are also mired in problems. They have thousands of issues,” declared Aliyev.