BAKU OPPOSES UNSANCTIONED VISITS TO KARABAKH

news.az
Nov 18 2009
Azerbaijan

Elkhan Polukhov Any foreigner who visits the occupied territories
without the permission of Baku is considered persona non grata,
Foreign Ministry spokesman Elkhan Polukhov has said.

He was talking to APA news agency on Tuesday about the visit of
Turkish journalist Nagehan Alci to Nagorno-Karabakh.

"The name of any foreigner visiting the occupied territories without
Azerbaijan’s permission is included on the list of personae non
gratae," Polukhov said.

This policy applies to all countries, he continued. Azerbaijan always
expresses a resolute position on this issue and this position remains
unchanged.

"The Azerbaijani consulate in Istanbul contacted Axsam newspaper and
the manager of the newspaper, Ismayil Kicikgaya, said this is the
initiative of the journalist and has nothing to do with the newspaper.

After the newspaper expresses its official position, Azerbaijan may
reconsider cooperation with this newspaper," Polukhov said.