France's venomous rhetoric New Wave of Attacks on Azerbaijan

This week, refreshed after a politically heated summer, French politicians have entered the autumn season with a new wave of accusations against Azerbaijan and assurances of eternal love for Armenians.

Newly appointed Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot, speaking at the Armenian embassy in Paris on the occasion of the 33rd anniversary of Armenia's independence, stated: "A year ago, the violent expulsion of Armenians from Nagorno-Karabakh began. France forgets nothing and will concede nothing regarding their right to return, nor in relation to the protection of their cultural and religious heritage." The French ambassador to Armenia, Olivier Decottignies, joyfully quoted his patron on his social media page X.

Taking the stage like an up-and-coming rock performer warming up the crowd, Barrot ceded the spotlight to the legend and heavyweight of the metal genre, President Emmanuel Macron of the Fifth Republic. While on a global tour in New York and speaking in the General Assembly Hall of the United Nations, Macron passionately shouted slogans that resonate deeply with Armenians and their supporters.

“Prime Minister of Armenia, alongside whom France stands shoulder to shoulder, is under pressure from Azerbaijan and its territorial claims. The international community must also be involved in the peace negotiation process for it to be successful. Internationally recognized borders must be upheld,” Macron proclaimed.

However, let's set the jokes aside. While Macron’s persona can often seem comical and caricatured, that doesn’t mean he and the France currently backing him can’t complicate our lives—especially since they are not alone in this pursuit.

Certain countries are actively working to revive the "Karabakh case." They are artificially inflating the issue of Armenians who voluntarily left Karabakh and their potential return. In tandem with this, Yerevan is refusing to sign an appeal to the OSCE Minsk Group for its formal dissolution.

At the same time, there is a push to raise the issue of Azerbaijan’s alleged territorial claims against Armenia. This narrative aims to further cement Azerbaijan's image as a global villain, suggesting that Azerbaijanis not only “expelled Armenians” but are also “attempting to seize Armenian territory.” Moreover, this contrived depiction of Azerbaijan as a potential aggressor serves to justify the militarization of Armenia and lays the groundwork for future military provocations disguised as self-defence.

In reality, we are witnessing a foreign-funded campaign promoting Armenian revanchism. On one hand, a semblance of the "Karabakh case" persists at the political and diplomatic levels, while on the other, Armenia's military capabilities are being strengthened. At a certain "Hour X," upon the signal from their backers, Yerevan will be expected to merge these two factors and present both the "unresolved issue" of the "violent expulsion of Armenians" and the "threat of invasion into Armenia" to Azerbaijan.

When we discuss the seriousness of these intentions, we do not intend to alarm our readers. It’s important to understand that by cutting the Gordian knot of the Karabakh conflict, we have stirred up a hornet's nest. However, we knew what we were getting into, and Azerbaijan has never entertained the idea of territorial concessions to the occupiers. The Azerbaijani army is well-prepared to counter any potential military threat from Armenia.

On the political front, Azerbaijani leadership is making every effort to enhance the country’s international standing, creating a system of international relations that shields it from external risks.

These efforts are far more substantial than the homegrown rhetoric of certain Armenian and foreign politicians.

We will respond to military threats with strength. But we also know how to inject a bit of humor into the situation.