France in search of spies casts its gaze on Azerbaijani journalists Baku's struggle against neo-colonialism sparked petty revenge

"Azerbaijan's 'destabilisation operation' during Sebastien Lecornu's visit to New Caledonia" - headlines of this kind have been making the French press these days. In short, our journalists are accused of spying.

Let us recall that on December 3, 2023, two Azertag journalists were sent to New Caledonia to carry out an editorial assignment to cover the protests of the autochthonous Kanak population against the colonial policy of France. One of them, under the pretext of "document problems", was not allowed to enter the country and, after being held for twenty-four hours under police surveillance, was expelled from the islands.

And now, apparently, in a desperate attempt to justify such an incorrect attitude against our country, the French have raised the roof with a spy scandal. Coincidentally or not, the French Defence Minister Lecornu was in Nouméa during the same period. Responding to our French colleagues in such a dashing dramatic way, we, in turn, will put forward the assumption that Lecornu arrived there with an espionage mission. Well, and if we are not joking, the French were certainly angry. After all, among other things, the Azerbaijani flag was raised at the recent anti-colonial actions of the Kanaks. It seems that Baku managed to kick the ball far into the opponent's half of the field. So far their coach will run onto the pitch shouting bad words.

Curiously, for a whole year, the French state authorities and media have barely reacted to the ongoing discussions on French colonialism at various international summits in Baku. They tried to pretend as if nothing was going on. However, recent events show that all this time irritation and anger have been accumulating in the French, which sooner or later had to reach a boiling point. And that point has been reached now.

For the first time, the French press is writing about Azerbaijan not in connection with Karabakh and Armenian-Azerbaijani settlement, but purely with its French agenda. We managed to distract them on the one hand, and on the other hand to show that we can make them uncomfortable on several international issues. Moreover, unlike the French, who promote artificial issues, we cover the most real and pressing ones - French colonialism and the struggle of oppressed peoples for self-determination. Incidentally, it is now that the French media have begun to retroactively recall the round table with Caledonian, Martinican and Polynesian supporters of independence organised in July this year on the margins of the ministerial summit of the Non-Aligned Movement in Baku, which condemned France's neo-colonial policy.

So, let's say it again: Azerbaijani journalists were declared spies. A step that is as helpless as it is understandable. Well, the French could not detain journalists just because they were Azerbaijani journalists. The principle of freedom of speech applies to everyone, and otherwise, the heirs of the ideas of freedom, equality and fraternity would be accused of racism and display of hostility on the grounds of ethnicity. So they have to invent artificial reasons for unfriendly steps towards the countries they dislike.

The Press Council of Azerbaijan is in solidarity with us, having published a statement which says in particular: "Apparently, the fact that unacceptable actions in New Caledonia were widely covered in the world media prompted the French ruling circles to rush in search of an 'argument'. This is the only way to assess the black PR campaign launched against the staff of Azertag and their branding as 'spies'".

Nevertheless, we should give credit to the French since they showed their inherent artistry and sense of style in inventing a reason for sanctions against our journalists. Moreover, we simply have to thank the French side for such strong emotions. After all, with this accusation, Paris is placing our modest country almost in the rank of a superpower. Or have we managed to change their attitude so much that we are considered so powerful that we are capable of causing the Fifth Republic a lot of trouble? Quite possibly. As the poet said: "Being face to face, you couldn't see the face! The whole is seen, but only from distance", especially if that face is your own. Probably the only way to look at yourself from a distance is to look at yourself through someone else's eyes. And in this, accordingly, the actions that are taken towards us will help. Judging by the recent actions of the French, Azerbaijan is a small country, but an important one in terms of political resources. We can certainly congratulate each other on this.

Guided by the principle of reciprocity, we, in turn, also recognise France as a great power, albeit one that has severely worn out its greatness, both as a result of an objective historical process and due to the incompetence of its current leadership.

On the whole, such a blatant anti-Azerbaijani position of the current French leadership goes against at least the traditions of French diplomacy. While the deep emotional bond between France and Armenians is well known, no French leader, politician or diplomat before Macron allowed himself such shameless and, most importantly, groundless attacks on our country.

It should be added that Azerbaijan supports the oppressed peoples not in spite of France. Our country, being an important component of the Global South, and an active member of the Non-Aligned Movement, is by definition driven by the mission of fighting neo-colonialism.

As for France, every great Power has great sins. As a rule, these sins are not unique - colonialism, oppression, and mass extermination of indigenous peoples. The sooner Paris apologises for its colonial past and changes its policy towards its overseas population, the better its chances of becoming the cultural capital of the world again.