Baku, Azerbaijan, Sept. 11
By Seba Agayeva - Trend:
Situation with human rights in Azerbaijan is better than in other countries of the region and even Europe, Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov said on Thursday at a press conference after a meeting with Austrian Foreign Minister.
"Before you accuse Azerbaijan of violating human rights and democratic values, I would advise Austrian journalists to know about situation of human rights in other countries of the region and even Europe. One of the fundamental principles of the EU is the respect for the rule of law. If a journalist illegally visit territory of another country, it is against the law,"- Mammadyarov said, commenting on the refusal of Azerbaijan to give a visa to the representative of Austrian media.
Austrian journalist visited Nagorno-Karabakh without Azerbaijan's permission and refusing her a visa associated with it, Foreign Minister said.
"Everyone should respect the laws of other countries and do not have to hide behind the European institutions",- Mammadyarov said.
In turn, the head of the Austrian Foreign Ministry acknowledged that the visit of the journalist of his country to the occupied territories of Azerbaijan was illegal.
"I understand the concern of the Azerbaijani side. Austrian journalist's visit the occupied territories of Azerbaijan is illegal, "- he said.
Azerbaijan refused to issue visa to Austrian journalist Jutta Bauer, that illegally visited Nagorno Karabakh and for this have added to the list of "undesirables" of Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry.