Trouble in ties: Azerbaijan's ruling party slams Turkiye's governing AKP for encouraging conservatism

New Delhi: Azerbaijan's ruling party, despite its wide-ranging ties with Ankara, has lashed out at Turkiye's governing Justice and Development Party (AKP) for encouraging conservatism in Azerbaijan by promoting headscarves for some female students in schools.

The New Azerbaijan Party (YAP) on Tuesday issued a statement criticising remarks made by Turkiye's presidential adviser Oktay Saral and members of AKP concerning Azerbaijan, calling on Turkish political figures to respect the country's sovereignty and refrain from interfering in its internal affairs.

"It is deeply regrettable that Turkish presidential adviser Oktay Saral and members of parliament from the ruling Justice and Development Party have made populist and irresponsible statements without considering the essence of the issue, Azerbaijan's constitutional structure or the legal foundations of freedom of religious belief in our country," the YAP said.