“France Lacks Moral Right” – Azerbaijan’s Foreign Ministry on Malaki’s Statement in Armenia

The spokesperson for Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Aikhan Hajiyev, responded to local media inquiries regarding the statement made by French Minister of Culture Rima Abdul Malak during her visit to Armenia. Earlier, Malak stated that France is prepared to make every effort to raise the issue of protecting Armenian cultural heritage in Nagorno-Karabakh on international platforms.

The French Minister of Culture noted that they have officially appealed to UNESCO to obtain permission to visit Nagorno-Karabakh and document all the historical and cultural artifacts for identification purposes.

Hajiyev accused the French minister of bias, asserting, “Azerbaijan is well aware of the importance of protecting all cultural and historical monuments within its territory, and in this context, particularly its obligations. France, as a foreign country to the cultural and historical values belonging to other peoples, lacks the moral right to raise such issues.” He stated that claims that cultural and historical monuments are at risk due to Azerbaijan’s “counter-terrorism” efforts are “baseless,” as confirmed by two UN missions in the region.

He added that the cultural heritage located in “Azerbaijan” represents the “cultural diversity of the Azerbaijani people,” which Azerbaijan values and protects regardless of its origin, secular or religious affiliation.

“We once again call on the French side to refrain from interfering in “Azerbaijan’s internal affairs” and to put an end to such “provocative” statements,” Hajiyev commented regarding the statement made by the French Minister of Culture.