Baku Rejects Notion Of Aiding Attacks On Neighbors

The Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry says no country will ever be permitted to use that country's soil for strikes against its neighbors.

Speaking to journalists in Baku on October 2, Foreign Ministry spokesman Elman Abdullayev said the government's position remains "unchanged and firm" and that Azerbaijan's ties with its neighbors would remain based on principles of friendship.

"Azerbaijan respects its neighbors’ sovereignty and territorial integrity," Abdullayev said.

The spokesman's comments follow new international reports speculating on whether Azerbaijan would be ready to provide facilities to Israeli forces in case Israel decided to launch a military campaign against Azebaijan's neighbor Iran aimed at crippling Tehran's nuclear program.

Tensions between Tehran and Baku have escalated in recent months over a range of issues, including reported closer ties between Azerbaijan and Iranian rival Israel.

Based on reporting by apa and Interfax