French official’s comments on Azerbaijan reflect her usual folly Tactlessness meets foolishness

Chair of the Security and Defence Subcommittee of the European Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee Nathalie Loiseau has questioned whether it would be appropriate to attend COP29 in Baku given Azerbaijan's practice of arbitrary detentions.

She stated that this issue should be addressed to the future government.   Her remarks are hardly surprising. She has been predictable, mundane, and tiresome in her anti-Azerbaijani rhetoric for a long time. This Frenchwoman has no tact. Loiseau was not personally invited to Baku for COP29.

Her comments on the appropriateness of visiting Baku resemble a well-known joke: a seed vendor explains his refusal to lend money to a friend by saying, "Do you see that bank over there? I have an arrangement with them: they don’t sell seeds, and I don’t provide loans." The presidents and prime ministers from dozens of countries will attend COP29 in Baku. The absence of Madame Loiseau and any French representatives will go unnoticed. On the other hand, who could hypothetically represent France at COP29 in Baku? 

Of course, it would not be the French president. President Macron has frequently spread misinformation about Azerbaijan and amplified Armenian propaganda. He has been openly aligned with a country that has ignored international law and UN Security Council and General Assembly resolutions for nearly three decades. Furthermore, he continues actively arming and financing Armenia, clearly fueling revanchist sentiments in Armenia. Moreover, Macron is facing numerous problems in France, with protests calling for his resignation. Monsieur Emmanuel has long been considered a "lame duck" in French politics. The visit of France’s newly appointed Prime Minister Michel Barnier to Baku is also in question. Barnier had previously made an illegal visit to the temporarily occupied Azerbaijani territories in 2021 and was declared a persona non grata by Azerbaijan. 

In fact, it's hard to find anyone in the French political elite who hasn't been tainted by supporting Armenia during its occupation of 20 per cent of the Azerbaijani territory.

As for "arbitrary detentions," Loiseau merely echoed a statement from the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, which advised French citizens, including those with dual nationality, not to travel to Azerbaijan without a compelling reason. Both then and now, the claim of "arbitrary arrests" is a baseless exaggeration. The Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry promptly responded to this statement. Currently, two French citizens are detained in Azerbaijan. 

One of them, Martin Ryan, is arrested on charges of espionage. Another French citizen, Clerk Tego Hugo, is detained for vandalism (graffiti on subway cars) in Baku. Should Baku release them, sending them off with flowers and gifts? Which country perceives espionage easily? France itself detained Telegram co-founder Pavel Durov. "This is a very complex case. It raises significant human rights concerns," stated Ravina Shamdasani, spokesperson for the UN Human Rights Office, at a briefing. 

This was a substantial rebuke to the French president, who had tried to deny any political motives behind Durov's detention. Should not well-known or wealthy individuals travel to France after Durov's arrest? Madame Loiseau’s comments reflect her usual folly, which is hardly surprising. She has advocated for sanctions against Azerbaijan for a long time simply because Azerbaijan dared to restore its territorial integrity. 

The phrase "We must serve our honour and serve Armenia" also comes from Madame Loiseau. So, it is not surprising that, as a French citizen, she chooses to serve other country. Her efforts have been appreciated in Yerevan, where she was awarded the "Gratitude" medal by the Republic of Armenia. Those who award medals also set the terms for their recipients. Thus, she should continue visiting the country she serves. Meanwhile, the presidents and prime ministers from many countries will visit Azerbaijan.