In a statement released by Aykhan Hajizada, Director of the Press Service Department, the ministry condemned Blinken’s comments, labeling them as biased and an attempt to interfere in Azerbaijan’s internal legal processes.
“We strongly condemn and reject the statement by Secretary Blinken on December 11, 2024, which distorts the current situation regarding the protection of human rights and freedoms in our country,” Hajizada stated. He criticized the remarks as an attempt to meddle in Azerbaijan’s domestic affairs.
The ministry also expressed disappointment over what it described as a period of stagnation in Azerbaijan-U.S. relations under Blinken’s tenure. “Unfortunately, the past four years, marked by the intervention of the U.S. State Department led by Secretary Blinken, have been lost years for our bilateral relations, which were previously defined by friendship and cooperation,” Hajizada added.
The statement accused Blinken of applying double standards on human rights issues, claiming this has hindered the overall South Caucasus policy of the United States.
Looking ahead, the ministry expressed hope for a reset in relations under the next U.S. administration. “We hope that mutual friendship and partnership between Azerbaijan and the United States will be restored in the future,” Hajizada concluded.
