"Assuming that the answer of the French minister is not the result of translation error, I consider it necessary to clarify the issue in order to avoid further misunderstanding," said Amirbekov.
"The position of France is clear: the country respects Azerbaijan`s territorial integrity and does not recognize the illegal separatist regime in Azerbaijan`s occupied Nagorno-Karabakh region," said the diplomat.
Amirbekov went on to add that according to the French laws, agreements concluded between French cities and regions with representatives of the territorial entities unrecognized by France, including the separatist regime of Nagorno-Karabakh are illegal, contrary to international obligations of France and have no legal force.
"This official French government`s position is reflected in the circular, signed July 2, 2015 by the ministers of Foreign and Internal Affairs of France and sent to all regions in order to familiarize with the prescription to mayors of the French cities," Amirbekov said.
"Despite that, several leaders of the French cities that are in the electoral depending on Armenian voters declared their intention to continue this illegal cooperation. In relation to these persons, the Azerbaijani side decided to transfer the resolution of this issue in the legal state and obtain the cancellation of these agreements, as well as prevent any future similar documents," said the ambassador.
`All agreements between French cities, separatist regime in Karabakh - illegal`
27 April 2016
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Due to answer of the French Secretary of State on the question regarding the cooperation between the French cities and different settlements in Nagorno-Karabakh, Trend reached out to Azerbaijani ambassador to France Elchin Amirbekov for comments.
