Azerbaijani Ambassador To Russia Addresses Letter To State Duma Regarding Zatulin's Provocative Statements

(MENAFN- Trend News Agency) BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 4. Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Azerbaijan to the Russian Federation, elected deputy of the Azerbaijani Parliament from the cities of Shusha, Aghdam and Khojavand in the Karabakh region Polad Bulbuloglu has sent a letter to the Chairperson of the State Duma of the Russian Federation Vyacheslav Volodin in connection with the video message of the First Deputy Chairperson of the Committee of the State Duma of the Russian Federation on CIS Affairs, Eurasian integration and relations with compatriots Konstantin Zatulin, who published a“congratulatory message” on September 2 on the occasion of the so-called “Independence Day of the now defunct 'NKR' on his Telegram channel, Trend reports, referring to the Azerbaijani Embassy in Russia.

“I testify my deep respect and, completing my diplomatic mission in Moscow, address you not only in my capacity as Ambassador but also as an elected member of the Azerbaijani Parliament from the cities of Shusha, Aghdam, and Khojavand in the Karabakh region of Azerbaijan.

I would like to draw your attention to another outrageous action of the First Deputy Chairperson of the State Duma Committee on CIS Affairs, Eurasian Integration and Relations with Compatriots Konstantin Zatulin, who published on September 2 this year a “congratulation” on the occasion of the so-called“Independence Day” of the now non-existent“NKR” on the Telegram channel“Shining Star”, recording a corresponding video message,” the letter reads.

As Bulbuloglu notes, in the provocative address, Zatulin, allegedly speaking on behalf of“not indifferent people in Russia”, once again provokes revanchist forces in Armenian society with imaginary hopes to resuscitate the already completed conflict by supporting the separatists.

“Moreover, in his speech, he refers to the former leaders of the separatist regime and other terrorists, whose hands are smeared with the blood of innocent Azerbaijanis. It is obvious that Zatulin, being persona non grata in Armenia, continues to promote expansionist views and narratives in Russian society and fulfills the political orders of his patrons of Armenian nationality living in the Russian Federation while pursuing the aim to undermine the Azerbaijani-Russian relations, conducting provocative activities against the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the Republic of Azerbaijan. It is a matter of concern that this is not the first such case on the part of this deputy - he has repeatedly made provocative statements against the statehood and people of our country,” the letter adds.

The Ambassador emphasized that in light of the strengthening allied relations between Azerbaijan and Russia, especially within the framework of President Vladimir Putin's state visit to Azerbaijan last month, the sides once again confirmed the high level of cooperation, and the Russian head of state expressed readiness to contribute to the establishment of long-term peace, security, and stability in the South Caucasus region.

“Against this positive background, the destructive actions of a member of the United Russia party who opposes the official position of his country demonstrates that he not only disagrees with but also does not respect the opinion of the head of state. This is not surprising, since this character, in one of his interviews in June 2023, stated that“Russia has not achieved its goals in the SMO”. I regret to note that despite the repeated appeals of the Azerbaijani side to the official bodies of the Russian Federation to stop such antics, no effective measures have been taken so far concerning the provocative activities of Zatulin, undermining the allied relations between our countries. All this continues to cause serious concern among the deputies of the Azerbaijani Parliament and in the public environment of our country, agitates Azerbaijani Diaspora organizations in Russia, and adversely affects the inter-parliamentary cooperation between the two countries.

In this regard, I strongly urge you, dear Vyacheslav Volodin, to manifest a principled approach in this matter following the official position of the Russian Federation and the regulations of the State Duma of the Russian Federation and do everything possible to prevent further such provocative actions on the part of Zatulin,” the letter concludes.

MENAFN04092024000187011040ID1108634819