Azerbaijani FM confirms existence of policy of discrimination against Armenians in Azerbaijan: Armenia’s MFA spokesperson

Armenia’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Anna Naghdalyan commented on some extracts of interview of Azerbaijani foreign minister with Russian Izvestia daily.

- In his interview Azerbaijani foreign minister voiced “disappointment” over the recent meeting with Armenia’s foreign minister, noting that the basis of the negotiations is the Kazan document worked out on the basis of Madrid principles. Will you comment on it?

- Regarding the opinion of the Azerbaijani foreign minister over Nagorno Karabakh peaceful regulation process, I just want to slightly remind that “Kazan document” was rejected by the very Azerbaijani side. We have consistently presented our principle position in the Nagorno Karabakh peaceful settlement process and the approaches which first of all prioritize Artsakh security and the issue of its status. We are consistently working on our agenda.

- In his interview Azerbaijani foreign minister referred to the issues regarding the visits of the Russian citizens with Armenian surnames to Azerbaijan, presenting an original option for the solution of the issue. How will you comment on it?

- The fact that Armenians in Azerbaijan are target of discrimination is not a novelty for us. In essence, Azerbaijani foreign minister confirms it in his interview and admits the existence of discriminatory policy against people of Armenian descent, the fact which has many times been voiced by other states and international organizations and Russian Federation and OSCE/ODIHR in particular. According to the Azerbaijani official, the best variant of management of the existing discriminatory policy is making the entrance of each Armenian to Azerbaijan a subject for negotiations.