Rome backs Baku, criticizing Paris for anti-Azerbaijani statements

Italy's Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Edmondo Cirielli criticized the statements of French Foreign Minister Stephane Sejourne on the Azerbaijani-Armenian normalization, Giornale Diplomatico reported.

Commenting on the words of the French minister, voiced at a press conference with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Cirielli noted that any short-sighted statement by representatives of institutions other than the parties involved in the Azerbaijani-Armenian peace process risks aggravating tensions.

The Italian minister stressed that Azerbaijan, hosting the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29), takes a responsible position.

"The statements of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the French Republic, Stephane Sejourne, at a joint press conference with the US Secretary of State, certainly do not contribute to defusing the situation. French Minister Stephane Sejourne should not undermine the efforts of those who, guided by common sense, are moving forward to achieve lasting peace in the region,” Edmondo Cirielli said.