Azerbaijan denies reports it plans to close embassies abroad

The reports are "unfounded” and "beyond objectivity”, ministry spokesman Hikmat Haciyev told state news agency Azartac.

"The spread of such unverified information may spoil diplomatic relations with other countries that Azerbaijan has been building for years," he said.

"Making decisions on these kinds of issues requires serious and thorough consideration, including the mutuality in diplomatic relations and political approaches.

"What is being considered is how to adjust the activities of the diplomatic missions to the reality and make some cuts in the number of personnel to reduce expenses,” Haciyev said.