Azerbaijan's Foreign Ministry rejects France's travel warning for Azerbaijan

BAKU. Sept 18 (Interfax) - Baku condemns the statement by the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs on the travel warning for Azerbaijan and calls for respect for the country's sovereignty and internal affairs, Aykhan Hajizada, head of the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry's Press Service Department, said.

"We firmly condemn and reject the attempt by the Spokesperson of the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, in a statement dated September 17, to justify the travel warning for Azerbaijan by citing allegations on 'risks of arbitrary detention and unfair trial'," Hajizada said in a commentary published on the Foreign Ministry website.

He said it is unacceptable to present legal proceedings in some criminal cases conducted in accordance with the Azerbaijani legislation based on political motives and make attempts to interfere in Azerbaijan's judicial system.

One cannot ignore the fact that when the French side makes such accusations against Azerbaijan it does not take into account the existing problems in its own law enforcement and penitentiary systems, he said.

"Furthermore, France's violations of international law, as well as its practices involving racism, discrimination, and restrictions on human rights, are well known to all," he said.

Hajizada called on the French side to refrain from unfounded and biased allegations against Azerbaijan, to respect the sovereignty and internal affairs of Azerbaijan, and to stop approaches that hurt bilateral relations.