Expert blames France for current crisis in diplomatic relations with Azerbaijan PHOTO

Chairman of the Azerbaijani Centre of Analysis of International Relations Farid Shafiyev stated that there is currently a crisis in relations with France, and the root cause of this crisis lies within France itself.

Shafiyev made these remarks during an international conference titled "France and the Armenia-Azerbaijan Conflict", organised by the Centre of Analysis of International Relations on January 31, Caliber.Az reports per local media.

He also noted that cooperation between the two countries in the economic and energy sectors continues.

Emphasizing that the escalation of relations was greatly influenced by the Armenian factor in France, Shafiyev pointed out that Azerbaijan was not the initiator of this issue. 

Shafiyev added that Azerbaijan maintains a normal attitude toward French culture and language.

The conference then proceeded with panel discussions. 

Moderator of the panel discussion on "France's Historical Connection to the Armenian-Azerbaijani Conflict", Board Member of the Centre of Analysis of International Relations and MP Gulshan Pashayeva discussed the history of the conflict.

She reminded attendees that France had previously served as a mediator in the resolved Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict and expressed regret that peaceful initiatives without war lasted for 26 years. 

The MP noted that one of the biggest Armenian diasporas with 600,000 representatives is located in France. Numerous pro-Armenian organisations and committees also operate there, and their influence on bilateral relations should be examined from a historical perspective.

Professor of Public Law at the University of the Côte d'Azur Christian Vallar highlighted that France was one of the first countries which recognised Azerbaijan's independence. He noted that as a co-chair of the OSCE Minsk Group, France had sought to maintain neutrality regarding the conflict. 

At one point, France voted in favour of the PACE resolution concerning the occupied Azerbaijani territories, and previous French presidents, Nicolas Sarkozy and Jacques Chirac, had prioritised relations with Azerbaijan. However, the situation between Paris and Baku has changed. Vallar pointed out that the crisis emerged following French President Emmanuel Macron's visit to Armenia in 2018, during which he did not visit Azerbaijan.

Azerbaijani MP Tural Ganjaliyev noted that relations with France were previously pragmatic, with mutual influence between French and Azerbaijani intellectuals over the past 100 years. He reminded the audience that Ahmad Agaoglu, who studied in France, later returned to Azerbaijan and opened a French language class. 

Ganjaliyev emphasized that since 2003, Azerbaijan's stronger foreign policy strategy had shifted France's attitude toward the country. As Azerbaijan became stronger, concerns grew within the Armenian diaspora in France, leading them to form more defined positions on the matter.

Ganjaliyev added that with the arrival of Emmanuel Macron in power, bilateral relations became even more strained. Previously, anti-Azerbaijani positions were expressed in a veiled manner, but especially after 2020, France began to openly demonstrate a stance against Azerbaijan. 

Director of Conflicts journal Gil Mihaeli stated that to objectively assess relations between France and Azerbaijan, it is important to consider the emotional ties between the two countries. The establishment of the Baku French Lyceum and the projects Azerbaijan has implemented in the fields of opera and culture reflect the country's fondness for France.

Mihaeli emphasised that after the collapse of the Soviet Union, the Armenian diaspora in France, expanding its activities, sought to bring the Karabakh issue to the international stage. 

Over time, it transformed into a political tool, further strengthening its ties with French politicians. Professor of Baku State University Mammadagha Baghishov noted that diplomatic relations between France and Azerbaijan were established in 1992 and have developed through various agreements. 

However, France's stance on the resolved Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict has been inconsistent and biased. When we look at history, we see that relations between Armenia and France have always been positive. Although France claims to combat terrorism, at various points in history it actually supported terrorists and was aware that terrorism in Armenia was state-sponsored.

Baghishov emphasised that France did not offer any support to over one million Azerbaijanis who became displaced people as a result of the occupation of Azerbaijani lands.

"When the Armenians committed the Khojaly genocide in 1992, France remained silent about this tragedy. Moreover, as one of the co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group, France did not take any effective actions during 28 years. On the contrary, all its proposals have benefited Armenia and its own interests. This is why France used this conflict to intervene in Azerbaijan's affairs. The 'observer mission' of the European Union today stands as proof of what we are saying. This mission serves to strengthen France's influence in the South Caucasus and advance its own goals," he added.

Moderator of another panel discussion on "France's Policy After 2020", head of the department at the Centre of Analysis of International Relations Vasif Huseynov pointed out that although France tried to maintain neutrality before the second Karabakh War, its approach became openly anti-Azerbaijani after the conflict. 

Robert Cutler, a senior research fellow at the Institute of European, Russian, and Eurasian Studies at Carleton University in Ottawa (Canada), who joined the panel discussion online, emphasised that France's excessive support for Armenia as a co-chair of the OSCE Minsk Group undermines its credibility.

He stated that, in doing so, France is attempting to strengthen its role in the South Caucasus. The growing efforts by France in this direction, coupled with its biased approach, are causing concern among the interested sides. 

"Economic support and military cooperation between France and Armenia also reflect Paris' one-sided approach. At the same time, the deployment of air defense systems, night vision devices, Bastion armored vehicles, and modern Western weapons to Yerevan will heighten regional tensions. This tension will spill over into other areas as well. If France continues strengthening its influence by bolstering Armenia's security, Russia, Türkiye and Iran will seek to reduce Paris' influence in the region," Cutler said. 

Other speakers, including Azerbaijani MP Asim Mollazade, independent researcher and founder of the EurasiaPeace think tank Morgan Caillet and lawyer from the Strasbourg Bar and co-founder of the French Institute for Culture Jean-Emmanuel Medina, also addressed the history of the Azerbaijan-France relations. 

They emphasised that the deterioration of relations between the two countries in these complex geopolitical times sets a bad precedent. The causes of Paris' biased policy toward Azerbaijan after the second Karabakh War, in the context of the new realities created by Azerbaijan in the region, were discussed. 

Such biased attitudes and the increasing strain on relations benefit neither side and, in fact, cause serious harm to interstate relations.

The panel discussion continued with speeches and a Q&A session.

By Naila Huseynova