Azerbaijan summons Iranian envoy over “insulting” remarks
- 3 January, 10:31
Seyyed Jafar Aghaei Maryan, the Charge d'Affaires of the Iranian Embassy, was summoned to Azerbaijan’s Foreign Ministry on January 1 over “insulting” remarks made about Azerbaijan in Ardabil.
According to the ministry, a protest was conveyed over insulting remarks made against Azerbaijan and its leadership during an event in north-western Iranian city of Ardabil on December 29. The remarks by Seyyed Hassan Ameli, the representative of Supreme Leader in Ardabil province, were broadcast on the "News Network" channel of the Iranian Radio and Television Organization.
The ministry also protested against what it described as anti-Azerbaijani sentiments incited among Iran’s population. The statement further highlighted that such “propaganda” contradicts the spirit of bilateral relations and undermines efforts to strengthen ties between the two nations and their peoples.
Commenting on the summoning of the Iranian envoy in Baku, Mojtaba Damirchili, the Iranian Assistant Foreign Minister and Director General for Eurasia, said that the remarks made by Seyyed Hassan Ameli, the representative of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in Ardabil province and the Friday Imam of Ardabil, criticizing Azerbaijan, did not represent the official stance of the Iranian government. Damirchili emphasized Tehran’s commitment to foster friendly relations with its neighboring countries, particularly Azerbaijan. He described the remarks made in Ardabil as” ill-considered and inappropriate comments”, stressing that they were not in line with the position of the Iranian government, and that Iran remains committed to good relations with Azerbaijan.
