Aliyev recalls remarks by the US ambassador to the UN

Azerbaijan was surprised by statements made by the US ambassador to the United Nations claiming that Baku had agreed to take part in actions in the Middle East, President Ilham Aliyev said.

“We never gave such consent, and through diplomatic channels we conveyed to the US administration that statements of this kind are unacceptable and create a false picture,” Aliyev told local TV channels on January 5.

He said there may have been an attempt to draw other countries into the process by citing Azerbaijan’s alleged consent, but stressed that this would be entirely unacceptable. Aliyev added that Baku had sent Washington a questionnaire of more than 20 questions and that Azerbaijan would not consider participation in any mission until those issues are clarified.

According to the president, speculation in the foreign media — especially after what he described as irresponsible and false remarks by a senior US diplomat — made it necessary for Azerbaijan to clearly communicate its position to both domestic and international audiences.