All References to the 'Azerbaijani Garden' Removed in a French City

The city hall of Évian-les-Bains in France, which had previously signed a declaration of collaboration with the Azerbaijani city of Ismayilli in 2015, and opened a statue of poet Khurshidbanu Natavan along with the 'Azerbaijani garden' in 2017, has recently decided to remove all references to this garden from the city.

Opposition representatives have demanded the removal of all writings related to the garden from the city council. Their demand has been influenced by the international situation, Azerbaijan's aggression against Armenian territories in September, as well as the fact that the country is ruled by the autocratic president Ilham Aliyev.

According to reports, Mayor Josiane Ley has stated that all mentions of the 'Azerbaijani garden' have already been removed: “Only references remained on the paper maps of the tourism office. When the plans are revised, it will no longer exist. We have also severed all ties with them, although they were already minimal.”

Statements have also been made from the Azerbaijani side claiming that France supports Armenians and is hostile towards Azerbaijan. France has been criticized for this 'anti-Azerbaijani action.'