Foreign Ministry of Azerbaijan: "It is not up to Norway to pronounce judgment on the development of democracy in Azerbaijan"

- How would you comment on a statement of HE Jonas Gahr Store, the Foreign Minister of Norway, as published by Turan News Agency on June 06, 2007, with regard to Norway’s opening of an embassy in Baku only due to Azerbaijan’s oil?

- We consider it important to first of all verify authenticity of the statements attributed to Minister Gahr Store, since it’s hard to believe that the Foreign Minister insists that opening of Norwegian embassies abroad is bound to oil.

- Foreign Minister Gahr Store goes on to claim that the freedom of speech in Azerbaijan is worsening. What is your reaction to that?

- It is crucial to bear in mind that Azerbaijan most actively cooperates with all international organizations, including the United Nations, Council of Europe, OSCE, and others, in the area of promotion of human rights, civil freedoms, and democracy-building in general.

Development of democracy, including issues of media freedom, is a conscious choice of Azerbaijan, not an attempt to please the international community and/or its individual members. Thus, in no way do we see ourselves as responsible in that respect before any of the foreign nations, including Norway.

It is not up to Norway to pronounce judgment on the development of democracy in Azerbaijan. The Norwegian side should be careful in choosing words and expressions, so that its statements are not seen as an interference into another nation’s internal affairs.