MFA Spokesperson Aykhan Hajizade's response to an inquiry from local media concerning the statement of the Government of the Kingdom of the Netherlands

Question: In a statement issued on December 13 regarding the allocation of aid to Armenia, the Government of the Kingdom of the Netherlands claimed that "as a result of Azerbaijan's attack against the ethnic Armenian enclave, 100000 Armenians were forcibly expelled from their homes." What is your position on this statement?

Answer: The anti-Azerbaijan remarks made by the Government of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in their statement are unacceptable.

The Netherlands has never seriously acknowledged the facts of Azerbaijan's sovereignty and territorial integrity being violated for 30 years by an invading and aggressive Armenia, the policy of ethnic cleansing against Azerbaijanis, and the fact that over 1 million Azerbaijanis have become internally displaced persons and refugees.

The Netherlands criticizing the anti-terror measures carried out by Azerbaijan in its territories despite Azerbaijan repeatedly stating that the Armenian Armed Forces--which at the time continued to be stationed illegally in the territories of Azerbaijan--are a threat to the region and making numerous calls for their immediate withdrawal per the international law is a clear example of a skewed approach.

We repeat that the 44-day Patriotic War, as well as the 2023 September 24-hour anti-terror measures, were carried out in Azerbaijan's sovereign territories in accordance with the norms and principles of international law, and our country regained its sovereignty through legitimate means.

Azerbaijan has never expelled the Armenian residents from Garabagh, and it was their choice to migrate to Armenia and other countries, despite Azerbaijan's calls that they stay in the region. The United Nations missions to the region confirmed that Azerbaijan has not targeted the civilian population, and Armenia's latest claims in this regard were rejected by the International Court of Justice headquartered in the Kingdom of the Netherlands.

It would be helpful if the Netherlands stopped issuing statements that hamper the region's future development and advancement based on the principles of international law.