Europe mends its relations with Azerbaijan
Steinmeier turns OFF the MacrON factor

ANALYTICS  16 January 2023 - 15:07

German president Steinmeier's phone call to Ilham Aliyev on January 13, during which the leaders of the two largest European and South Caucasus countries discussed regional security issues, is a clear demonstration of Berlin's desire to build relations with Azerbaijan without being influenced by Macron's toxic pro-Armenian policy. It is also a sign of Europe's weariness of France's constant lust for leadership in the Old World, with only one catch - the cost-effectiveness of Macron's political plans, judging by the returns, is not very high. And Paris's very obvious predilection for pursuing Armenian interests, which ignores the interests of Azerbaijan, Europe's most important energy partner at the moment, is already apparently beginning to worry continental Europe's largest economy.

Aliyev and Steinmeier discussed the most pressing issues between the two countries during their telephone conversation. In addition to cooperation prospects, the sides also touched upon regional security issues. Frank-Walter Steinmeier emphasized Germany's support for the European Union-Azerbaijan-Armenia trilateral format with the direct involvement of EU Council President Charles Michel. President Ilham Aliyev also underlined that he highly valued the trilateral talks in Brussels.

The dialogue between the two leaders should be seen as an important sign that Berlin does not share the ambitions of Paris, which claims to be the moderator of relations between Azerbaijan and Armenia and of geopolitics in the South Caucasus generally. Although Paris actively tried to prove its indispensability in this matter. However, it failed. Macron's reactionary and openly pro-Armenian stance only convinced Baku that Paris clearly does not suit the role of an objective mediator. Moreover, it is worrying in its destructiveness: France's attempts to shatter the South Caucasus and enter the region under the guise of "peacemaker" are too obvious. As a result, Baku has shown Paris the door, although it tried for a long time not to do so, hoping for French sobering.

Such dubious successes of Macron's policy in the South Caucasus could not of course be ignored by other leading European countries, in particular the FRG. It is important to note here that, according to experts, German-French relations have recently been in crisis. Contradictions between the two countries occur in many aspects, from energy to air defence. And at the moment when the German-French tandem is bursting at the seams and Baku's importance in energy cooperation with the EU is increasing and our country is beginning to play an important role in gas supplies, European countries are worried because Paris is aggravating relations with Azerbaijan in favor of Armenia, which is of dubious economic interest to the EU. It is also of political interest. Moreover, Yerevan is one of Brussels' major grant-eaters and a consumer of European loans with a vague prospect of return. Here the EU sees no balance of interests or simple common sense in Macron's tactics. And it is hard to disagree with this - French interests cannot take precedence over pan-European interests. Germany, or more broadly continental Europe, is more concerned with energy and security, while the French are more concerned with personal ambitions.

Naturally, the situation on Lachin road was also discussed in detail. President Aliyev noted that Armenia's allegations that the road is blocked are untrue and that ICRC's humanitarian cargo and other humanitarian shipments are allowed to move freely.

The confident message of active development of Azerbaijani-German cooperation and ties, which was voiced during the conversation, strongly contrasts with the outright egocentrism of Paris in its dialogue with Baku and the bias in relations with Azerbaijan. Meanwhile, Europe sees and accepts Azerbaijan's value and importance as a political as well as economic partner, with its unique role thanks to its special geopolitical location, efficient diplomatic policy, and large energy resources. In this sense, the German president's call is clearly indicative and proves that Berlin (and the rest of Europe) does not want to participate in French adventures, which could strike a blow to the entire energy security system of the Old World.

Caliber.Az