Hikmat Hajiyev Addresses Allegations of Azerbaijani Territory Being Used by Foreign Agencies

Baku: Hikmat Hajiyev, the Assistant to the President of Azerbaijan and Head of the Foreign Policy Affairs Department of the Presidential Administration, has asserted that Azerbaijan will not permit its territory to be used against neighboring states. In a recent interview with Turkey's Milliyet newspaper, Hajiyev addressed the complex geopolitical landscape in the region, highlighting ongoing conflicts involving Iran, the United States, and Israel, as well as the Russia-Ukraine war, both of which are occurring within close proximity to Azerbaijan.

According to Azeri-Press News Agency, Hajiyev responded to allegations suggesting that Azerbaijani territory had been utilized by Israel's Mossad. He emphasized the close cultural and familial ties with Iran, describing it as a "brotherly country." Hajiyev underscored Azerbaijan's commitment to the principles of sovereignty and liberation of its territories, firmly stating that Azerbaijan would not allow its land to be used to interfere with a neighboring country.

Hajiyev questioned the logistical feasibility of such allegations, noting that any attempt by Israel to utilize Azerbaijani territory would necessitate passage through Turkey, a scenario both Azerbaijan and Turkey would not permit. He dismissed the claims as baseless and part of a campaign of "dirty propaganda."

The comments come amid heightened tensions in the region, with Azerbaijan navigating its diplomatic relations while maintaining a stance of non-interference in the affairs of neighboring nations.