Embassy of Azerbaijan expresses its stance on granting Azerbaijani visa to Mkhitaryan

Baku. 2 October. REPORT.AZ/ The Azerbaijani embassy in the UK has announced its position on granting Azerbaijani visa to the Armenian footballer of Arsenal FC Henrik Mkhitaryan for the match with Qarabagh FC in the 2nd round of the Europa League group stage.

According to Report, the Azerbaijan Embassy told The Independent that Mkhitaryan’s Armenian nationality “would not influence” a visa application made in his name.

“The only aspect in which the conflict influences possible non-admission of a foreign national into Azerbaijan is whether the person in question has previously visited Nagorno-Karabakh and other occupied regions of Azerbaijan without the written consent of the Republic of Azerbaijan,” the nation said in a statement.

“The decision on granting an Azerbaijani visa to all foreign nationals is subject to certain rules and regulations based on the national legislation and international agreements of Azerbaijan.

“Hence the right way to pose any question should not be whether Henrikh Mkhitaryan will be granted an Azerbaijani visa or not, which can’t be answered in advance as is the case with any country including the UK, but whether his nationality will influence his getting Azerbaijani visa, the answer of which is: No.”

Arsenal said: “Safety and security of all our players and staff is always a top priority. We will be looking into this situation, talk to the player and make a decision after that.”

The Armenian athletes participated in the World Chess Cup in 2015, Baku 2015 European Games and the 2007 World Wrestling Championships, which was held in the capital of Azerbaijan.

Mkhitaryan did not come to Baku on October 22, 2015 to play against Gabala at the Europa League group stage in Borussia Dortmund. The midfielder has made illegal trips to Nagorno-Karabakh since 2009. To help war veterans a footballer gave them various home appliances in Khankendi. At one of the visits, Bako Saakyan, the head of the separatist regime in the occupied region, awarded Mkhitaryan "Ayrenyats Pashtpan" ("People's Defender") order for the development of sports and various charity projects in the region.