Azerbaijan’s counter-condition to France’s Karabakh policy Strategy in South Caucasus

French Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador to Armenia Olivier Decottignies has once again raised the issue of the "right of Armenians to return to Karabakh" which seems to be a persistent concern for him.  

“Let us not forget the Armenians of ‘Nagorno-Karabakh,’ who were ‘displaced’ from their land, and whose right to return has been affirmed by the International Court,” he wrote on social media.

Several questions arise. Why are French diplomats and legislators discussing the return of Armenians to Karabakh more than Armenian officials? What motivates France in this issue? Is Mr. Decottignies aware that if Karabakh Armenians return, they will have to accept Azerbaijani citizenship, as there is no other option according to international law?

Azerbaijani experts have shared their views on this issue with Caliber.Az.

Azerbaijani political analyst and MP Rasim Musabayov believes that Decottignies raises this issue to cater to the local audience and keep the so-called "Artsakh" issue in the media spotlight.

He noted that neither France nor Armenia has the ability to revive this topic on the international stage or involve Azerbaijan in its discussion.

"These efforts are in vain. Baku has no intention of discussing this issue with Yerevan, Paris, or anyone else. We are ready to consider individual requests from those who are native Karabakh Armenians, provided they are willing to legalise their stay in Azerbaijan and show loyalty to the authorities and laws of our country," the politician emphasised.

Azerbaijani security expert Ilham Ismail said that it is best not to engage with those who seek to be "more Armenian than the Karabakh Armenians themselves."

“A brief response can be given. Did a Karabakh Armenian want to return to Azerbaijan and was prevented by us? A Karabakh Armenian who accepts Azerbaijan's terms and has not committed crimes against Azerbaijan during the Karabakh wars can apply to Azerbaijan. If no negative circumstances are found during the investigation of their application, they may obtain Azerbaijani citizenship, and their safety will be guaranteed,” the expert stressed.

He believes there is nothing unusual about French officials supporting the Armenians.

“We have not forgotten the illegal visit to Karabakh by the French presidential candidate, the recognition of the ‘Nagorno-Karabakh Republic’ by both chambers of the French Senate, and the Paris mayor's visit to the conditional border with Azerbaijan. France's interest lies not only in its affinity for Armenians but also in its strategy to enter the South Caucasus using Armenia and strengthen its position in the region. Armenian officials are more interested in having the French or any global powers protect them. Resolving the problems by others is a distinctive feature of Armenian policy,” the expert recalls.

He noted that the French are well aware that as long as the issue of Karabakh Armenians' return is on the agenda, peace in the region will remain elusive. This situation increases Paris' opportunities to influence and exert pressure on the region.

“From their perspective, the return of Karabakh Armenians should be a collective action rather than an individual one, and it should come with certain international security guarantees. France sees itself as providing this ‘international guarantee,’ which is part of its policy in the South Caucasus. Azerbaijan, however, has a counter-condition and counter-argument— the return of Azerbaijanis to Western Azerbaijan,” Ismail concluded.