France's Foreign Minister Comments on Aliyev's Threats
The Azerbaijani Parliament, through Samad Seyidov, the chairman of the Committee on International Relations and Inter-Parliamentary Relations, has demanded that Jean-Yves Le Drian, France's Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, “retract improper statements and apologize to the President of Azerbaijan.” Seyidov's statement reads: “Ilham Aliyev has expressed his just position. Valérie Pécresse's visit to Artsakh ignores the fundamental principles of sovereignty and self-determination. The territorial integrity of Azerbaijan is supported by the Azerbaijani parliament in this direction, and members of the French parliament should put an end to such criminal actions, which grossly violate international law.”
It is worth noting that the day before, French MP Éric Ciotti had referred to Aliyev as a dictator when questioning Le Drian about the reason for Macron's silence.
In response, Le Drian stated that the words of Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev towards the presidential candidate are unacceptable in form and essence, which he has already conveyed to the Azerbaijani ambassador in Paris. He also reaffirmed France's support for Armenia.