Azerbaijan.US
Azerbaijan’s Foreign Ministry has summoned Russia’s Ambassador to Baku, Mikhail Yevdokimov, and delivered an official note of protest over a February 5 statement by Russian State Duma deputy Konstantin Zatulin.
According to the ministry, the Azerbaijani side expressed strong objection to comments made by Zatulin in his capacity as first deputy chairman of the Duma committee on CIS affairs, Eurasian integration, and relations with compatriots abroad. His remarks concerned the conviction of Armenian citizens in Azerbaijan.
Officials in Baku said Zatulin has long taken positions against Azerbaijan’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, openly supported separatism, and attempted to distort court rulings against individuals found guilty of crimes against peace and humanity, as well as war crimes committed during Armenia’s military aggression against Azerbaijan. The statements were described as unacceptable.
Azerbaijan also called on Russia to take appropriate measures to halt what it described as the destructive activities of figures whose actions, Baku warned, risk undermining regional peace and stability as well as bilateral relations between the two countries.
