"The statements that have spread these days in some media outlets about the alleged closure of the corridor that passes through Azerbaijan for NATO member-states, do not correspond to reality," spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan Leyla Abdullayeva, said.
"To clarify the situation, we would like to note that Azerbaijan does not provide any territory to anyone, including NATO, in the sense of a corridor. Here it is about providing certain opportunities for the member-states of the NATO Resolute Support mission in Afghanistan, in which Azerbaijan participates, to carry out appropriate cargo transportation by land, air and water within the framework of this mission. This experience has existed since 2001. To provide these opportunities, the appeals of NATO member countries to carry out relevant flights are considered bilaterally. These appeals are considered in accordance with relevant rules and procedures of the Azerbaijani side, as well as on the principles of cooperation and respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the states that form the basis of partnership.
"To this day, based on this prism, Azerbaijan has contributed to the NATO-led mission in Afghanistan, as well as to peace and security in the region as a whole.
"At the same time, the information and accusations leaked to the German media recently, beside creating certain misunderstanding, also testify to someone's bias. Reflecting unfounded accusations, such information is not based on concrete facts. We once again inform that Azerbaijan, on the basis of the relevant principles of partnership and in accordance with the norms of international law, cooperated with NATO member-states, cooperates now and is ready to continue this cooperation in the future.
"The observed fabrication campaign with reference to the information leaked to the German media is false, and Azerbaijan rightly expects the German government to answer this question in a proper form. Azerbaijan will continue to consider appeals from NATO member-states in the future," the Foreign Ministry spokeswoman said.