02-09-2010 15:15:44

Azeri embassy rules out Gerard Depardieu visit to rebel region (UPDATED)

BAKU – The Azerbaijani embassy in France has dismissed Armenian media reports claiming that renowned French actor Gerard Depardieu intends to visit Nagorno Karabakh, an Azerbaijani territory occupied by Armenia for nearly two decades.

The embassy said Depardieu plans to attend a festival in Armenia on the invitation of the country’s government. "But this does not mean that he will visit the occupied region of Nagorno Karabakh," Azerbaijani Ambassador Elchin Amirbayov said.

Armenian media reported earlier that the French actor would visit the region as part of this year's Carot Cultural Festival.

Depardieu has promised to attend the event, to be held in Yerevan and Nagorno Karabakh, Armenian media reported quoting the president of the Armenian Cultural Development Fund Metso Igityan, who is also the festival organizer. The event is due to open on Thursday.

Depardieu will not attend the opening of the festival in Khankandi, the center of the self-proclaimed Nagorno Karabakh republic. He will arrive in Yerevan on September 3 to accept a professional award, the Azerbaijani embassy said.

Earlier, Azerbaijan’s Foreign Ministry requested the country’s embassy in Paris to clarify whether the French actor plans to visit the occupied Azerbaijani territories without Baku’s permission.

TAGS: Azerbaijan, Baku, Azerbaijani Embassy, France, Gerard Depardieu, visit, Nagorno-Karabakh, Azeri territory, festival, government, Ambassador Elchin Amirbeyov, Carot Cultural Festival, Yerevan, President of the Armenian Cultural Development Fund, Metso Igityan, Azeri Foreign Ministry, Paris, U.N. Security Council