The Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry has accused the US State Department, under Secretary of State Antony Blinken, of interfering in Azerbaijan's domestic affairs over the past four years, labeling this period as a setback for bilateral relations.

On December 11, Blinken called on Azerbaijan to halt its "increasing crackdown" on the media and civil society and to adhere to its international human rights commitments.

In response, Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry spokesperson Aykhan Hajizada stated, "We strongly condemn and reject the biased statement of 11 December 2024 by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, which distorts the current situation regarding the protection of human rights and freedoms in our country, and aims to interfere in the legal proceedings in Azerbaijan."

Hajizada further claimed that the US State Department's actions under Blinken "paralyzed" the United States' South Caucasus policy and undermined relations between the two nations.

"Unfortunately, due to the intervention of the US State Department led by Secretary of State Blinken in the internal affairs of Azerbaijan during the last 4 years, the period in question is considered lost years for Azerbaijan-U.S. relations, which were remembered for friendship and cooperation within many periods," Hajizada added.

He expressed hope for improved ties under the incoming US administration, following the November 5 presidential election in which Republican candidate Donald Trump was declared winner by leading networks.

It is worth noting that Trump's upcoming term promised sweeping changes to US foreign policy, with plans to dismantle long-standing policies and adopt an "America First" approach.

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