Baku: "We strongly condemn and reject the unfounded responses published on 23 June on the website of the French National Assembly by the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs concerning support for Armenians 'displaced from Nagorno-Karabakh,' 'fate and release of Armenian prisoners,' 'Armenian religious and cultural heritage,' 'human rights in the Azerbaijan-Armenia peace process,' as well as 'human rights in Azerbaijan," Foreign Ministry spokesperson Aykhan Hajizada stated in a commentary on the responses provided by France's Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs to questions from members of the French National Assembly, APA reports.

According to Azeri-Press News Agency, the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry expressed strong condemnation of France's recent actions and statements related to the Azerbaijan-Armenia peace process. The Ministry highlighted France's biased approach, citing the lack of acknowledgment regarding Armenia's long-term occupation of Azerbaijani territories, the destruction during that time, and the Azerbaijani refugees and displaced persons' plight.

The Ministry criticized France for its focus on Armenia's security and defense cooperation while ignoring Azerbaijani concerns and alleged Armenian aggression. It asserted that France's policies are not neutral and undermine the peace process by encouraging revanchism.

Furthermore, the Ministry dismissed France's concerns about 'Armenian prisoners and detainees' in Azerbaijan, stating such allegations are baseless. It emphasized that those detained have been held accountable for war crimes and other offenses under national and international law.

The statement also pointed out the irony in France's stance on cultural heritage issues, noting France's disregard for the destruction of Azerbaijani cultural sites.

Additionally, the Ministry highlighted France's recent domestic issues, including corruption scandals and human rights violations, questioning France's position to lecture Azerbaijan on human rights.

In conclusion, the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry accused France of failing to accept regional realities and pursuing outdated political approaches detrimental to peace and stability in the South Caucasus, which, it claimed, harm France's credibility.